Shaq honored with new job – and can’t resist Charles Barkley dig during ceremony

Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t resist another dig at Charles Barkley, even while being honored by America’s highest security ranking.

The four-time NBA champion was named as an honorary FBI special agent by director Kash Patel this week, who announced the graduations on social media.

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“Congratulations to our newest session of FBI National Academy graduates session 299 – represented by 265 law enforcement officials from around the country,” Patel posted on X.

“This session is historic – FBI was honored to be joined by one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country -@Shaq- who graduated with this session and became an honorary FBI Special Agent.

“It’s also the first time ever a National Academy session includes two FBI special agents – representing Pennsylvania and North Carolina – making our partnerships out in the field even stronger.

“Congratulations to all – proud to serve alongside each of you. Mission first. ”

Shaq jokes that FBI should arrest Barkley

Shaq was given the new title on Thursday, September 17, while attending the FBI National Academy’s Session 299 graduation in Quantico, Virginia.

During the ceremony, the 7-foot basketball icon gave a speech to the crowd, and towards the end decided to fire shots at his once-rival turned close friend.

“Some of you will go back to your regular jobs, some of you will go to specialized training,” he told the graduating class.

“Some of you will go do what I do, be undercover. Well, I was undercover… But I just wanna say I appreciate you guys so much.

” Congratulations. I am not here for this; I am here for you. … And if you see Charles Barkley, arrest him.”

Shaq and and Barkley, both now in the NBA Hall of Fame, battled on court during the mid to late 90s.

In 1999, after a hard foul and a shove, Barkley famously threw a basketball directly at Shaq’s head, causing a huge on-court scuffle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.

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Both players were then put on a three-way call with their mothers to make up, planting the seeds for their friendship.

Now on Inside the NBA as studio analysts, both legends frequently tease each other about their weight and appearance, often leaving co-hosts Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith in stitches.

Shaq has long connection with law enforcement

Shaq’s FBI honor is not the first time the NBA legend has worked with law enforcement.

In 2005, O’Neal was sworn in as a Miami Beach reserve police officer, at the same time he was playing with the Miami Heat.

Shaq has also served as a reserve officer in Los Angeles, later joining the Doral Police Department in the same role in 2015.

He has always been a strong supporter of the police, and has often said his lifelong dream was to be a cop after his father first planted that seed.

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“One time, the police were messing with us, and I disrespected them,” Shaq said.

“Oh, that was the worst thing I could have ever done. My father grabbed me by my collar, tugged me back and said, ‘Don’t you ever disrespect these men.

“They’re here to protect us. You listen to them. You say, “Yes, sir. No, sir.” And if he’s not right, if he’s doing stuff out of spite, just obey the letter of the law.

“Then you come and see me, and I’ll handle it.’ So from that day on, I didn’t disrespect the police anymore.”