NBA hall of famer Shaquille O’Neal says 'people shouldn't be forced' to get COVID-19 vaccine

NBA hall-of-famer and sportscaster Shaquille O'Neal says he's opposed to mandates for COVID-19 vaccinations. 

O'Neal encouraged listeners Thursday night to his "The Big Podcast with Shaq" to "be safe" and to "take care of your family," according to Fox News. "But it's just, people don't want to take it, and you shouldn't be forced to take something you don't want."

On the issue of the fairness of a company dismissing employees for not getting vaccinated, O'Neal suggested they shouldn't have to if it's "going against (their) morals."

"I'm with you on the rules because I’m a rules guy," he said to a co-host. "But I do feel sympathetic towards people who have to make that kind of decision."

O'Neal, who is vaccinated and is a broadcaster for Turner Sports, was critical at the start of the National Basketball Association season of Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving refusing to get vaccinated.