The Big Eclipse: Shaq Announces Retirement

Shaquille O'Neal retires after 19 NBA seasons

Shaquille O'Neal was a large man -- both on and off the court. But even giants eventually have to fade into the sunset.

Shaq announced Wednesday that after 19 NBA seasons that he was hanging up his size-23 sneakers.

"We did it. Nineteen years baby," O'Neal said in a video message posted on Tout.com. "I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Thank you, talk to you soon."

The short clip doesn't encompass the four-time NBA champion's legacy in the sport. He won consecutive titles with the Lakers in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and a fourth with Miami in 2006.

The Big Aristotle played for Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston.

Shaq retires with two scoring titles, an NBA MVP and three Finals MVPs.

Fittingly, his last minutes on an NBA court were against the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. He played sparingly and was on the bench in a suit when Miami ousted Boston in Game 5.

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