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'Shark Week 2020' | 'ShaqAttack': Shaquille O'Neal bonds with whale sharks, fans say it's 'just the sweetest'

The retired sportsman was more than a little freaked out when it came to swimming with these colossal creatures but he got over his fears and had a proper bonding experience with the sharks

Shaquille O'Neal has had some trouble with sharks in the past, having gotten stuck in a cage with one the last time he appeared on Discovery's Shark Week programming. But with Shark Week 2020's 'ShaqAttack', it looks like the NBA legend has finally found some sharks to love.

During the special, O'Neal headed to the Georgia Aquarium where he was introduced to the biggest sharks on the planet, whale sharks. These gentle giants are one of the least aggressive creatures in the water and the special dropped a lot of information about the species in order to educate the wider audience which has struck a chord with the fans on social media.

"Ok, #SharkWeek, I will admit, at least *showing* target feeding a #Whale #shark is educational. Maybe you should let the experts, like the people at @GeorgiaAquarium take the lead more often? Also, glad to see Shaq on an episode called #ShaqAttack," one Twitter user wrote.

"Still can’t get over that the size of a whale shark = 5 Shaquille O’Neills #shaqattack #SharkWeek," another fan tweeted.

Indeed, that bit of information would give anyone pause, Shaquille O'Neal included, and the retired sportsman was more than a little freaked out when it came to swimming with these colossal creatures. Of course, the fans found it funny but it is understandable that someone who's had a bad experience with sharks might be apprehensive about getting into close proximity with another one, even if it is one of the most peaceful species of sharks on the planet. "So funny that Shaq is so tall but afraid of a whale shark.... one of the most gentle sharks #ShaqAttack #SharkWeek," one fan wrote. 

Eventually, Shaq got over his fears and had a proper bonding experience with the sharks and it's left the fans feeling extremely jealous. Here's what they've been saying:

"Feeling a little bit ~maybe a lot~ jealous right now. @SHAQ diving with a whale shark. What an amazing opportunity. I wanna be best friends with that Shark! #ShaqAttack #SharkWeek #SharkWeek2020," a fan wrote.

Another fan declared, "So @SHAQ’s friendship with whale sharks is just the sweetest. #ShaqAttack #SharkWeek."

"Watching Shaq get over his fear of sharks and learning to love them is so wholesome 🥰#ShaqAttack," yet another fan tweeted.

'ShaqAttack' aired on the Discovery Channel on Monday, August 10, at 9 pm ET.