Reports: Police investigate TNT's Shaquille O'Neal for alleged 'attack' of co-worker
Shaquille O'Neal has long been known for his playful personality. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Did the Shaq Fu get a little out of hand?
Atlanta Police are reportedly investigating basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal after Robert Williams, a co-worker, alleged that he was "physically attack[ed]" by the TNT commentator. Through a lawyer, Williams alleges that he sustained "permanent injuries" as a result of the incident, according to a WSB-TV report.
WSB-TV reports further details about the alleged incident, which occurred in May 2013.
“(The co-worker) alleged Shaquille O’Neal tackled him to the ground causing injury to his back while they were at work at Turner Studios,” said Sgt. Greg Lyon with the Atlanta Police Department.
Robert Williams went to the Atlanta Police Department and said that Shaq tackle-punched him, knocking him down and falling on top of him.
“I don’t know the extent of his injury, but I have heard that [it was serious] as well, that his injuries were severe to his back,” Lyon said.
The 42-year-old O'Neal, who retired in 2011 after a 19-year NBA career, has not been charged with any crime. His lawyer released a statement referring to the incident as "horseplay."
TMZ.com also reports details of the incident, adding that Williams notified Turner Broadcasting's security after it happened but waited until July 2013 to file a police report.
Listed at 7-foot-1 and 325 pounds during his playing days, O'Neal has long been known for his jovial personality and love for pranks and stunts. Shortly after he announced his retirement, the LSU product signed on with Turner Sports and joined the popular "Inside the NBA" program, alongside host Ernie Johnson and fellow commentators Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
O'Neal's stepfather, Phillip Harrison, was an Army sergeant, and O'Neal has cultivated relationships with various law enforcement agencies over the years.
The future first-ballot Hall of Famer won four titles and was selected to 15 All-Star Games during his career.
