Shaquille O’Neal, the former NBA superstar, has given fans an update on his health after posting a photo of himself in a hospital gown on his Instagram account. The retired basketball player is known for his larger-than-life personality, but the photo shows a more vulnerable side of the sportsman.

In the photo, O’Neal is seen lying in a hospital bed wearing a gown, with a nasal cannula in his nostrils, and an IV in his left hand. The image was accompanied by the caption: “I’m fine, thank you, for your concern and support. I’m currently recovering and will be back soon.”

The post was met with concern from fans, who were worried about O’Neal’s health. However, the basketball legend has reassured his fans that he is doing well and is on the road to recovery.

O’Neal, who is now 49 years old, has had a long and successful career in the NBA, playing for teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics. Since retiring from professional basketball in 2011, O’Neal has kept busy with various business ventures, including investing in real estate and owning multiple franchises of the fast-food chain Papa John’s.

Although O’Neal has not revealed the reason for his hospitalization, it is not the first time he has sought medical attention. In 2019, the sportsman revealed that he had undergone surgery for a benign tumor in his pituitary gland, which had caused him to experience severe headaches and migraines.

O’Neal’s update on his health comes at a time when many people around the world are concerned about their health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The retired basketball player has used his platform to urge people to take the virus seriously and to follow public health guidelines.

In a recent interview with USA Today, O’Neal said, “I know there’s a lot of people out there that are scared and that are going through tough times, but I’m here to tell you, we’re going to get through this. Just continue to listen to the professionals, continue to wear your mask, continue to wash your hands, and continue to social distance.”

O’Neal’s message is an important one, as many people are still hesitant to follow public health guidelines or get vaccinated. With cases of COVID-19 on the rise again in many parts of the world, it is more important than ever to listen to the advice of medical professionals and take steps to protect ourselves and our communities.

As for O’Neal, fans are relieved to hear that he is doing well and wish him a speedy recovery. The basketball legend has been an inspiration to many throughout his career, and his message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity is more important now than ever before.