Shaq takes a hard stance against vaccine mandates

Shaquille O'Neal seems to have changed his mind on mandates, and wasted no time making his opinion known during an episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq." The former NBA player said he encouraged people to "be safe and take care of your family" but that "you shouldn't be forced to take something that you do not want."

When co-host Nischelle Turner pushed back and suggested mandates were not really being forced, Shaq doubled down.

Audio below:

Shaq was relentless, saying, "It is forced. Because if the man don't take it, the man gonna get fired."

Yes, that is what mandate means. One might argue "mandate" and "force" occupy similar spaces in the etymological circle, but vocabulary is hard for some people.

Shaq's recent statement runs counter to what he's said in the past about Kyrie Irving's refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. But if institutions are allowed to change and adapt, why not individuals?