Shaq Loses Arizona Deputy Status Over Kobe-Bashing Rap Video

Most of us thought that the video which showed Shaq on stage at a New York city club ripping Kobe Bryant with a freestyle rap was pretty funny stuff, but Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpalo wasn't laughing. Shaq received a "special deputy" badge from the Sheriff shortly after his move to the desert, but after hearing Shaq use some choice words in that rap video, the Sheriff wants his badges back:

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the Phoenix Suns center's use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in January and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse earlier this month.

"I want his two badges back," Arpaio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they're fired. I don't condone this type of racial conduct. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I don't think that either conduct should be out there publicly, even if media wasn't there."

I have no idea what a "special deputy" does exactly (mall security?), and I've long been a believer that Shaq's pretending-to-be-a-police-officer shtick was a complete waste of everyone's time. So thankfully, it's not like the community is actually going to suffer from Shaq's phony badges being revoked, because he likely wasn't doing anything with his "special deputy" status anyway.

I do think it's fascinating though, after all these years of Shaq popping off on various topics and getting a free pass from the media due to the entertainment value of his quotes, that there finally are some personal consequences for his actions. Sure, the title might not mean much, and he might be able to convince the masses that he was just clowning around. But it has to be at least a little bit humbling for Shaq to know that the county he now calls his basketball home wants nothing to do with him, largely because they're embarrassed by his most recent comments.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-24-2008 @ 6:06PM

john said...

Right on Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

6-24-2008 @ 6:09PM

Scott said...

Please take back that last sentence, and substitute the word "moron sheriff within the county" for the word "county". This guy Sheriff Joe is about the most maligned law official in the entire world ( who is not currently in jail )

6-24-2008 @ 6:08PM

petejayhawk said...

Arpaio should make Shaq do time in Tent City as punishment.

6-24-2008 @ 6:20PM

The good sheriff should be commended for his swift action.
No lawbreaker no matter how important they seem to think they are in their own minds will get away with what S.O. spewed out,as long as the sheriff is in town.
S.O. does not deserve any further recognition on this good earth after the foul,ugly and delberately demeaning remarks.From this day forward he should be deemed "IRREVELANT".

6-24-2008 @ 6:58PM

Azriel said...

come on now, how many times has a po-dunk sheriff, caucasion that is, used the same racial slur he did?
I've sat in bars w/ city cops, in uniform, & overheard more slanderous remarks. Give the man a break.

6-28-2008 @ 1:15PM

PAnderson said...

Big boy need to grow up,looks like a sign of jealousy
Kobe did take his team to the finals,Big boy did not
the only thing he did was caught lots of (FISH)that he needs to share with the Lakers, stop wineing Shaq better luck next season.

6-24-2008 @ 8:47PM

Martin said...

Brett - your blog would be more accurate if you started it "Most people with I.Q.'s less than that of a potted ficus thought..."
Based on the comments to the earlier blog which showed him "performing", it does not appear that the majority found it funny. Especially when Kobe Bryant (with Gasol and Odom) went farther in the playoffs than Shaq (who was surrounded with better players, including Stoudemire and Nash)

6-24-2008 @ 9:10PM

anny said...

People keep saying Shaq gets a "free pass" from the media, but what exactly is he getting a free pass from? Has he been breaking the law? No, he gives his opinion. I agree that sometimes he goes to far, but who cares if he calls out players and coaches. Is he not entitled to his opinion because he is famous? We all give our opinions on here and none of us get in trouble for it. If Shaq wants to talk about Kobe, Phil, Riley or anyone else, it's his choice, but stop acting like he is getting DUI's and abusing his wife and the media is turning a blind eye to it.

6-24-2008 @ 9:33PM

scott said...

Why is shaq still hurt for being exiled from LA? He is old and washed up. The suns went from a finals hopeful before Shaq, to slightly making the playoffs with Shaq. Next year they will have trouble getting the 8th seed in the west. Dantoni left the suns because shaq made them worse, and he is still focused on Kobe?... Maybe it’s because shaq will never get compared to Jordan and Kobe has the potential to surpass Jordan’s greatness. Or maybe it’s the fact that Andrew Bynum will be a more dominant Lakers center than Shaq could ever be. (Like two years ago when Bynum swatted shaq then went down the court and dunked in his face when he was only 18)Whatever the case shaq should retire and stop this childish jealousy of Kobe and the Lakers. Face it shaq Lakers fans don’t love you any more we’d rather have our MVP for 10 more years than a giant with the maturity of a two year old for an injury plagued few.

6-24-2008 @ 10:04PM

NYC Financial Planner said...

A slur is a slur, and it coming from Shaq (aka an officer) it's a reflection on the department... even though it is Shaq. I think they had to fire him.

6-24-2008 @ 10:53PM

TheTruthHurtsSuckItUp said...

Hooray Sheriff Arpaio!! Shut up Shaq! Kobe went to the finals you were cold chillin!

6-24-2008 @ 11:14PM

frank said...

What ever happened to freedom of expression?
On Kim blog recently b4 this one;
Why are not white players in the roster of team USA ?
They erased such blog or column by Kim????
Freedom of expression, my friend!
Kim touched a very delicate point and is called descrimination going back to the beggining and is real the other way around.

6-25-2008 @ 12:23AM

George B Vieto said...

Wait to go Sheriff Arpaio for setting Shaquille down to earth with the rest of the humanoids. Shaquille represents the law enforcement community of your county and his joke on his former teammate was out of bounds.