Shaquille O’Neal Accomplishes Mission to Meet Taylor Swift and ‘Shake the Hand of Greatness’ at Super Bowl 2024
The basketball hall of famer and businessman Jamie Salter also gave a special gift to the 14-time Grammy winner
Michael Tullberg/Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Shaquille O'Neal and Taylor SwiftMission accomplished, Shaq!
Shaquille O’Neal, 51, met Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl on Sunday, just two days after O’Neal told Page Six, “I just want to shake the hand of greatness.”
“If I see Taylor Swift and get to shake her hand, take a picture, I’ll be good,” the NBA legend, who retired in 2011, told the publication on Friday at Shaq’s Fun House Super Bowl party. “She’s a fabulous person. I’m happy for her. I’m proud of her. She’s done a lot. She’s definitely a cultural icon.”
His wish came true as he found Swift, 34, who was at the game to cheer on her Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend Travis Kelce. The two posed for a photo on Sunday inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Shaquille O'Neal/Instagram
Shaquille O'Neal, Taylor Swift and Jamie Salter at Super Bowl 2024 on Feb. 11.Related: Ryan Gosling Cries While Singing a Taylor Swift Song in The Fall Guy Super Bowl Trailer
In his Instagram caption, O’Neal said that he and Jamie Salter gifted Swift an NFL-themed Judith Lieber bag. Salter, in his own Instagram post, wrote, “Hope you love the @judithleiberny bag. Go KC”
Whether O’Neal's dream to meet Swift would actually come to fruition was up in the air until Saturday, when his chances increased after Swift's attendance was confirmed to PEOPLE by Gracie Hunt, the daughter of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt.
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After completing four-consecutive Eras Tour shows in Tokyo from Feb. 7 to Feb. 10, Swift flew back to the United States in time for the Super Bowl. After the big game, Swift will depart to Australia for her seven shows in Melbourne and Sydney on Feb. 16-26.
Related: How Taylor Swift's Lucky Number 13 Connects to Travis Kelce's Super Bowl Appearance
For Swift, who won two Grammys earlier this month for album of the year and best pop vocal album, this is her 13th time attending a Chiefs game (13 is her favorite number). The Chiefs have won nine of those games.
The 2024 Super Bowl matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs is airing live on CBS.
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