What's The 'Shaq Timeout' Meme? The Photo And Reaction Image Of Shaquille O'Neal Signaling 'Time Out' Explained

The viral Shaq Timeout meme is a rather straightforward reaction image. It shows the famous, former NBA player signaling for a "time out" with his hands, forming a capital "T."

Shaquille O'Neal is really no stranger to meme fame. He's become the subject of numerous viral trends over the years. However, this timeout meme is his most notable in a while.

So, where did the Shaq Timeout meme come from? What was the picture originally for and how's it being used on social media? Let's explain.

Where Did The 'Shaq Timeout' Meme Come From?

The original photo of Shaq signaling for a timeout was taken as part of a 2024 movement called "#Timeout Against Hate." The movement was spearheaded by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other figures in the professional sports industry.

The image of Shaq was posted along with others featuring former athletes and coaches like Doc Rivers and Jim Harbaugh.

How Is The 'Shaq Timeout' Photo Being Used In Memes?

The Shaq Timeout photo predominantly represents stopping something from happening in memes. Captions that are given to the image mostly outline a scenario in which something negative is about to happen and the meme's subject is portrayed as Shaq, basically saying, "Hold up," or, "Stop right there."

For instance, a popular phrasal template associated with the meme reads, "When you're watching X and they start being mean to Y." In the template, meme creators replace "X" with a TV show or movie and replace "Y" with a character who is often harassed by others.

Other memes using the Shaq Timeout image are more meta. For instance, some play on the T shape that Shaq is making and instead joke only about the letter T. Of course, this subverts the generally understood purpose of the image's usage.

What Are Some Other Shaq Memes?

As stated, there are a ton of memes about Shaq. One of the most iconic is Sleeping Shaq, which shows the big guy with his eyes closed, deep in a dream-like state. The image is often paired with a bottom caption reading, "I sleep."

Another deep-fried Shaq meme is Understandable, Have a Nice Day in which Shaq is talking to himself in a fast-food drive-thru.

In comparison to his previous trends, this new Shaq Timeout meme is much more comprehensible.

For the full history of Shaq Timeout, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.