Shaq eats a frog on live TV after losing sports bet to co-host

There's a reason why betting is a dangerous game.

While the financial ramifications are obvious, bets with friends can force you into doing some gross things. Just as Shaquille O'Neal found out:

The basketball legend made a wager with his co-host Ernie Johnson on NBA On TNT earlier this week, betting that Georgia would not win their game against TCI Horned Frogs in the national championship on Wednesday (11 Jan).

So confident was the big man that he promised to eat a plate of frogs if he was proven wrong.

Well, fans of the sport will no doubt have heard that Shaq was indeed incorrect, with Georgia winning the match 65-7 and subsequently the championship.

And as a result, he had to chow down on his amphibious amuse-bouche last night (12 January).

Wearing a Georgia helmet, Johnson bowled into the studio with a swagger, carrying a platter, the contents of which were covered by a shiny cloche.

NBA On TNT

What could be underneath? I think we all know.

Revealing the deep fried frogs, Shaq didn't look to bothered, grabbing hold of one and diving straight in.

"I'm a man of my word," he tells the host. "I'm a man of my word, Ernie."

Then, grinning with a chunk of frog between his teeth, Shaq says: "I just want to let ya'll know these frog legs are good!"

However, it was revealed recently that Shaq doesn't always come through.

Last year, Charles Barkley revealed that the Lakers legend still owes him $10,000 over their ‘spectacular’ bet.

The pair were discussing some of the athletic skill they had just witnessed on their NBA show, when Barkley said: "These two games tonight have been spectacular."

NBA/TNT

Shaq then bet Barkley that he couldn't spell the word 'spectacular'.

Jumping in, the former Miami Heat player said: "Spell it. Spell it."

"He can spell spectacular," assured the host.

To which Shaq replied: "No he can't. $10,000. Cash."

Not backing down, Barkley pulled it out of the bag right at the death, announcing: "S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R."

But he later revealed during an interview that he was still waiting for his money.

Come on, Shaq!

Topics: Food and Drink, Sport, US News, NBA

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is the News/Agenda Desk Lead, covering the latest trends and breaking stories. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom