Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq's Losing Bet Hasn't Been Paid Up, Yet!

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By Melanie VanDerveer on January 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM EST

After losing last week's bet, it's time for Shaquille O'Neal to eat some frog. Literally. But what he did on Tuesday night on "NBA on TNT" wasn't exactly paying up.

The bet between O'Neal and costar Ernie Johnson about who will win the 2023 NCAA College Football National Championship game went like this - "When Georgia beats TCU, I'll eat some frogs. I'll eat a horned frog," O'Neal said, to which Johnson replied, "I'd love to see it," before the two sealed the deal by shaking hands. O'Neal lost that bet!

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It's Time For Shaquille O'Neal To Pay Up And Eat Some Frog!

Shaquille O'Neal and Ernie Johnson
NBA on TNT - YouTube

So, the big question now is did O'Neal hold up his end of the bet? The answer is: he tried but failed. And not in the way you might be thinking. While the NBA legend and NBA on TNT host absolutely acknowledged that he has to eat a frog after losing the bet, he didn't actually eat frog. He brought a plate of something that appeared to be fried frog legs but was not. Adam Lefkoe called him out on it saying that it was chicken and even tried a piece to be sure.

"What is this? Is this what I think it is because of the Georgia win?" Lefkoe asks as he picks up the platter of chicken and puts it on the desk. "Are these frog legs?" O'Neal responds, "They sure are."

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Lefkoe then said he wanted O'Neal to eat the frog on Thursday night during the show when Johnson is present just before he opens the lid and says, "Shaq, that's chicken." While O'Neal is adamant that it's actually frog legs, Lefkoe isn't having it and tells him, "You need to stop lying."

They both take a bite of the supposed frog legs and Lefkoe announces, "America, that's chicken. This is embarrassing. Be a man of your word with Ernie. Georgia whooped them." O'Neal then agrees to do it right on Thursday.

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Shaquille O'Neal Welcomed Jamal Crawford To The Show With A Prank

Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal - Instagram

Also on Tuesday night, Jamal Crawford made his debut on "NBA on TNT" as the newest addition to the crew, and O'Neal made sure to initiate him into the group with a prank. Crawford, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner joins O'Neal, Lefkoe and Candace Parker on the Tuesday NBA coverage show.

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In typical O'Neal fashion, he playfully asked Crawford if he will look him in the eye. As Crawford cautiously looked the former NBA star's way, O'Neal says, "Hit it." A few seconds later, popcorn falls from the ceiling onto an unsuspecting Crawford.

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Jamal Crawford
NBA on TNT - YouTube

Laughs all around as O'Neal says, "Got him! Got him! Welcome! Welcome to the show." The clip then shows how O'Neal orchestrated the hilarious prank. Crawford holds his own and laughs along with everyone. "It's a little rookie hazing," Lefkoe said. "There's a look in Jamal's eye right now, that I see vengeance." Crawford then warns, "It's not over. It's not over. It's the start."

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NBA on TNT
NBA on TNT - YouTube
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