Two decades ago, if you told Shaquille O’Neal that he couldn’t do something, you might find yourself on the receiving end of a playful elbow. Off the court, he had a knack for pulling pranks and could easily prank you into oblivion. Shaq’s antics predated the rise of YouTube pranksters, and now they think they can challenge him without facing any consequences. In fact, iShowSpeed managed to pull off a viral moment with him.

Recently, Shaq reunited with his YouTube friends, MrBeast and iShowSpeed, at the JOY Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event also featured other global celebrities like Dana White, Ryan Seacrest, and Terry Crews, all gathered in one place. A single moment capturing all these stars together spread like wildfire on the Internet, largely due to Shaq being his well-known, entertaining self.

At one of the after-parties following the JOY Forum, the celebrities engaged in casual conversations amid photo opportunities. O’Neal was in the company of MrBeast, the same person he once dared to get stung by bees. This time, Shaq issued a different challenge: “I know I can beat you in a race,” he said to the YouTuber. It makes you wonder where he gets that confidence, considering the only person he’s ever outraced is Kenny “The Jet” Smith on a particularly off day for Smith’s knee.

Not only Mr Beast, but also iShowSpeed had to bring the 7’1″ giant down a notch. Both said, “I don’t think so,” and Beast admitted that he’s even slower. Then 20-year-old Speed dropped this bomb – “You’re way too old right now. You might like to tear something.”

Funnily enough, the Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, was there chatting with Seacrest. Speed’s dig at Shaq actually made them stop and watch. Their reaction added to that goofy moment that ended just as quickly.

No giants were harmed in the making of this video. The celebrity troop that Saudi’s entertainment wiz, Turki Alalshikh, gathered, took pictures, went viral, and went home.

No race ensued, fortunately. Because Speed and Mr Beast were rightfully concerned for their older friend.

Shaquille O’Neal knows he can’t win this race

Something about Mr Beast makes Shaquille O’Neal throw out the wildest challenges. It’s the same energy with which he pulled the most vile and disgusting pranks on Lou Amundson and other teammates during his NBA career and still does on the Inside Guys. A race is the tamest of comedies in his repertoire. But there’s a reason why Chuck, Ernie, and Kenny panic when Shaq throws himself into Christmas trees for fun.

Before his trip to Macau and Riyadh, Shaq was in New York beating The Messiah one one-on-one and promoting Shaq-a-Licious XL Gummies. While there, he was asked if he can still dunk. “No, not at all,” he said and added that if he does try, “I’ll get hurt.”

Shaquille O’Neal, who is 53 years old, last dunked during a game aired on TNT last year. He mentioned to Mr. Beast and Speed that the last time he ran a race was 30 years ago, noting that participating in Racing to the Board in Studio J doesn’t count. After undergoing hip replacement surgery in 2022, he experiences lingering effects from his physically demanding play style. Although he has to be more mindful of his health now, he hasn’t outgrown his prankster mentality.

Shaq is easily provoked and wasn’t ready to accept Speed’s claim that he can’t race. However, similar to how he teases Kenny about his knees, he told Mr. Beast, “Yeah, but I could beat you.” It seems he’s wisely picking his battles.