Judy Eddy/WENN.com
Conspiracy theories about the 9/11 terror attacks have been swirling for years, but for the first time, a celebrity seemingly chimed in on the conversation: Shaquille O’ Neal. However, according to Deadspin, the former NBA player quickly squelched the rumors with the ever-popular “It wasn’t me” defense.
According to the New York Post, an entry titled “A Close Up Video Was Discovered Of 9/11: You Won’t Believe What It Shows!” appeared on O’Neal’s personal blog site and verified Facebook pages. The post ominously asked, “We hear one thing from the media and government agencies, but are we getting the truth?”
The entry included a video of viral, slow-motion video of the second plane crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
“So what do you think?” the post asked. “Was 9/11 an inside job? Or was this video tweaked to make us think that it was?”
Media outlets ate it all up, reporting that his personal website and Facebook page “outed him” as a 9/11 truther, but O’Neal quickly put out a statement saying that the post was not a reflection of his views:
“This post was insulting and offensive, and I apologize to everyone who came across it. Once I learned that it was on my Facebook page and blog, I ordered it removed and fired the firm that posted it. I am not and never have been a “9/11 truther.’’ My father served our country and I am immensely proud of the sacrifices people make daily to keep us safe. The events of 9/11 were a horrible tragedy for our nation and it’s a disgrace that anyone would think otherwise.”
According to Deadspin, O’Neal hired “social interaction monetization firm” Digital Mavericks to write up Internet entries on his behalf.
“The company was a bit too maverick-y,” Deadspin said.
Digital Mavericks also released a statement:
“Our firm helped manage content for Shaquille O’Neal’s Facebook page and blog. Yesterday, one of our employees posted a link on Mr. O’Neal’s social media that related to the tragic events of 9/11. Mr. O’Neal had no knowledge of the posting. Further, it does not represent the views of Mr. O’Neal, our clients or our organization.”
Both of the posts on O’Neal’s Facebook page and blog have since been deleted.
