CFB fever has even caught Shaquille O’Neal! On Sunday, many fans were glued to their TVs for the highly anticipated LSU Tigers vs. USC Trojans game. The Week 1 matchup delivered plenty of nail-biting moments, but one unexpected surprise was spotting NBA legend Shaq in the massive crowd.

Well, the stadium was packed for the game. About 65,000 fans showed up to watch at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Among them, Shaq made an appearance—though it almost went unnoticed! Thanks to a sharp-eyed cameraman, we got a brief glimpse of him during the final minutes of the game.

However, the internet was buzzing with confusion about whether it was really Shaquille O’Neal. An X post broke the news, writing, “They just showed Shaq on TV at a USC game, then switched to an LSU fan with Shaq’s 33 jersey from his LSU days.” Well, with only a quick look, many fans weren’t sure if it was truly Shaq or if it was just a glitch.

But rest assured, it was indeed the man himself, there to support LSU and coach Brian Kelly’s team. Shaq even posted an Instagram story hyping up the Tigers after they scored a touchdown.

Now, this isn’t the first time Shaq has shown love for Louisiana State. Earlier this year, he was seen rooting for the former LSU star Angel Reese at several WNBA games. And now, it’s CFB’s time! While he hasn’t given a shoutout to any specific Tigers player yet, his presence at the game has sparked plenty of online buzz with fans sharing their thoughts on his surprise appearance.

Shaquille O’Neal’s cameo sets the internet on fire

Shaquille O’Neal sure knows how to steal the spotlight. His face was on screen for just a few seconds, but that was enough to send the internet into a frenzy. One X user posted, “Not Shaq is here,” sparking confusion and excitement. But soon, pics and clips from the game flooded social media, confirming his presence. Another user jokingly added, “Shaq is here. But he’s rooting for the bad guys.” Unfortunately for Shaq, the ‘bad guys’ didn’t have a great day. Despite his cheers, LSU lost to the USC Trojans in their season opener.

The game was a thriller though, with both teams tied until the final minutes. But the Trojans’ last-minute play gave them a 27-20 victory over Brian Kelly’s Tigers. For those wondering why Shaq was rooting for LSU, one user clarified, “Alum, unfortunately.” That’s right—Shaq attended LSU in the early ’90s, where he kickstarted his collegiate basketball career. Well, his iconic #33 jersey still hangs in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Louisiana.

Amidst that, one user jokingly asked, “Can’t Shaq get better seats?” since he was spotted sitting in the mid of the 65,000-strong crowd. Another fan wrote, “@SHAQ leading the @LSUfootball CHARGE,” only to be disappointed when LSU lost shortly after. In the end, Shaq’s appearance might’ve been the only good thing for LSU fans that day.

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