There’s always a sense of pride when someone from your alma mater goes on to achieve great things. We always look to learn about the stories of these people and gain inspiration from them. Even the great Shaquille O’Neal is no different. The NBA star took to Instagram to express his pride for his alma mater when Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals earned qualification to the 2022 Super Bowl.

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Shaq expresses his pride on Instagram

After the Cincinnati Bengals qualified for this year’s Super Bowl, Shaq took to Instagram to show his pride and support for fellow LSU Tiger Joe Burrow – the Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback. Prior to playing for the Bengals, Burrow spent most of his college career as an LSU Tiger.

The post by Shaq included a statement made by Joe Burrow to those fans who claimed that he was the first Ohio State University Buckeye to make the Super Bowl. Burrow was quick to dismiss those fans by talking about the importance of the finish as compared to the start, thereby questioning Buckeye fans, who claimed him as one of their own. Burrow is one of the upcoming players in the NFL. During his time at LSU, the quarterback won the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship along with the Heisman Trophy.

Shaquille O’Neal at LSU and the NBA

Like Burrow, Shaq is also a notable LSU alumni and his college career speaks volumes about his contributions to the Tigers. During his freshman year, Shaq not only made it to the SEC All-Freshman team, but was also part of the All-SEC 1st team.

With an improvement in performance, the ‘Big Aristotle’ was included once again into the All-SEC 1st team during the 1990-91 season. Additionally, he would also win AP Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, and UPI Player of the Year, along with the Rupp Trophy. In the following season, he would once again win the SEC Player of the Year and make the All SEC 1st team. For all that Shaq has given to LSU, the university paid him tribute by retiring his jersey and building a bronze statue of him outside the Tigers’ practice facility.

These performances would be carried into the NBA after the Orlando Magic would use their 1st overall pick in 1992 to draft Shaq. Here, he would help the Magic reach the NBA finals, only to fall short to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. But the big man would avenge that loss and win 4 titles with the Lakers and Heat to go down in history as one of the best ever to play the game.

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