In the world of sports entertainment, Shaquille O’Neal has proven to be much more than an NBA legend. With his commanding presence and unique sense of humor, Shaq has delivered unforgettable moments both on and off the court. But one of those moments, starring a raw turkey and an unexpected collaborator, resurfaces just today on Thanksgiving as one of the strangest and funniest anecdotes of his career.

The action occurred on the set of Inside the NBA, TNT’s iconic analysis show. The man responsible: Joe “Underdog” Underhill, one of the brains behind the show’s most entertaining segments. During a broadcast that no one will ever forget, Underdog decided to retaliate by throwing a raw turkey right at O’Neal’s head.

Shaq, at the center of the action… and the hit

It’s not uncommon to see O’Neal banter and even engage in friendly little “tiffs” with his fellow program members. But that night, the unexpected twist left everyone speechless.

As the cameras caught every second, the giant ex-player looked confused, and for a brief moment, even annoyed, after being hit by the bird.

The origin of the scene was just as peculiar. Reportedly, Shaq had been pressuring Underdog to eat something from the special Thanksgiving menu. What no one expected was that the investigator, known for his low profile but creative mind, would respond by throwing the turkey in an unconventional act of “justice.”

Shaq’s reaction: Upset or amused?

Although his initial expression suggested anger, the moment soon became a running joke among the show’s hosts and fans. As always, Shaq’s charisma and ability to take things with humor turned the incident into an unforgettable memory.

It was a different kind of Thanksgiving, and although the “battle” between Shaq and Underdog was caught on video, what few know is that this incident happened several years ago, in 2017. However, its ability to still get laughs makes it one of Inside the NBA’s most iconic moments.

Who needs a trophy when a flying turkey can make all the difference?