Shaq to Take on Big Ben

[Flasteel]

I'm not sure I like the idea of Ben dicking around with a guy the size of Shaquille O'Neal. Hopefully it's more like a pass, punt, and kick competition than a Pros Vs. Joes.

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4341098"]http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4341098[/url]
Shaq to test skills in other sports
ESPN.com news services

Maybe Shaquille O'Neal's new nickname should be the Big Experimenter.
In a new ABC reality television series that begins filming this week, Shaq will take on other top athletes in their own sports.
"Shaq Vs.", which is set to premiere Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. ET, begins filming Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where Shaq will take on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in football.
Future episodes of the hour-long show will feature Shaq against Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, tennis star Serena Williams and beach volleyball Olympians Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.
Shaq told USA Today that he came up with the idea as a way to train for the NBA season. Shaq figured Americans "would really want to see an athlete play another sport," according to the newspaper. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Shaq's new team, have cleared the 37-year-old O'Neal to take part in the show.
He is scheduled to report for the Cavs' opening of training camp on Sept. 15.
According to USA Today, the episodes will feature preliminary challenges, news conferences, quality time with needy kids and negotiations of a handicap between Shaq and his competitors. Each episode will climax with a main event.
There's no cash prize for the winner. "Bragging rights are always better than any monetary prize," O'Neal told USA Today.

[Sugar]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

OK- the concept of the show is interesting and I'm sure BB will be fine whatever they do. One thing that puzzles me though is how they have Shaq taking on Oscar in boxing. I get that Oscar is famous and all, but he's not only retired but way smaller than Shaq. O'Neill should be facing up against Wlad Klitscho to at least give the appearance of fairness.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

Ben could use a 7'1" 325 lbs TE to help seal the edge on run plays or to catch TD passes in traffic by boxing out tiny DB's in the end zone. However, Brett Keisel would have to let him know that we already have someone named Diesel on our team. It is a short drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, so he can drive down the turnpike on Sundays while playing for the Cavs during the week, just to tick Cleveland fans off even more.

[AkronSteel]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

Here's my take from ESPN comments regarding this new reality show:

I wonder why Shaq didn't use a Cleveland Browns player for the football segment of the show since he is new to the area and all???? Oh yeah, that's right they don't play real football in Cleveland like they do in Pittsburgh! Here's to another year of owning the Browns and their hapless fans!!! LMAO!!!

Just thought I would the laughs with everyone!!!

[Sugar]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

What is he going to do with Ben? See who can throw the ball the best-- that won't be very interesting.

If they wanted a fun-to-watch topic, they should have had Shaq play Left tackle and try to prevent James Harrison from getting to the QB for 3 seconds.

THAT would be funny.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

I'd like to see Shaq take on Fedor in some MMA action. Fedor's already disposed of one 7'2 goon so I don't think that he'd have too much trouble handling Shaq.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T89WQEkMmI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T89WQEkMmI[/url]

[aggiebones]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

quite frankly, I don't want Shaq near any of our players. I mean geez, he trips and falls on someone like Ben and pow our season is over.

I was wrestling with a 300 lb friend of mine. Mostly just drinking whiskey and goofin around. I'm around 200 lbs, but was throwing him around cause he was a bit drunker since he started earlier. But I stepped in a dog bowl and he fell on me, snap goes my fibula. There's a sobbering end to the evening.
OK, maybe just keep whiskey away from these 2.

[stlrz d]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

Ben could use a 7'1" 325 lbs TE to help seal the edge on run plays or to catch TD passes in traffic by boxing out tiny DB's in the end zone. However, Brett Keisel would have to let him know that we already have someone named Diesel on our team. It is a short drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, so he can drive down the turnpike on Sundays while playing for the Cavs during the week, just to tick Cleveland fans off even more.

Shaq can't make the reach block.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

quite frankly, I don't want Shaq near any of our players. I mean geez, he trips and falls on someone like Ben and pow our season is over.

Just make sure that Larry David is not invited to the taping of the Shaq vs. Ben show. :P

[ghettoscott]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

quite frankly, I don't want Shaq near any of our players. I mean geez, he trips and falls on someone like Ben and pow our season is over.

Just make sure that Larry David is not invited to the taping of the Shaq vs. Ben show. :P

ahhh, if only that were true....

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

After the Lake Tahoe allegations surfaced, Ben cancelled the press conference that was supposed to take place tomorrow to support the "Shaq Vs." show (I doubt many of those questions from that press conference would be about Shaq, so it is probably a good move). However, filming of the segment is still set to go on schedule this Friday. It is pretty cool that it will be open to the public. Anyone in the area planning to go to see what kind of a deep ball the Big Aristotle throws?

[url]http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/07/21/sports/doc4a6671bc88f61419129405.txt[/url]

Shaq vs. Ben still on

By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:56 PM EDT

Friday’s Shaq vs. Big Ben showdown is still on.

Despite a sexual lawsuit that’s been filed against him, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will take part in the Friday night filming for Shaquille O’Neal’s reality TV show.

However, Roethlisberger has canceled his Thursday morning press conference at Steeler headquarters that was scheduled to promote the “Shaq Vs.” competition.

Ambridge High School athletic director Randy Cosgrove and Alicia Good, the “Shaq Vs.” audience coordinator, both said that Friday’s event will go on as scheduled despite the controversy surrounding Roethlisberger.

Gates at Ambridge’s Moe Rubenstein Stadium open at 7 p.m. Filming is expected to begin at 8:30. The event is open to the public. There is no charge although donations will be accepted at the gates to benefit two sports programs at Ambridge High School.

Roethlisberger’s passing competition against O’Neal, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 7-foot-1 center, will be telecast on Aug. 18 when “Shaq Vs.” debuts on ABC.

[Jigawatts]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

Just a reminder this is on tonight.

ABC 9:00 P.M.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

What is the over/under for the number of Shaq/Ben (Stein) commercials during the Shaq/Ben (Roethlisberger) show?

[ghettoscott]

Re: Shaq to Take on Big Ben

Just a reminder this is on tonight.

ABC 9:00 P.M.

werd. thanks Jigga...