TMZ Sports · Jan 11, 2019
Shaq Defends Kevin Hart 'He Apologized, Move On'
Shaquille O'Neal is calling for people to back off Kevin Hart ... saying he shouldn't have to keep apologizing for his old homophobic jokes and wants everyone to "just move on."
"Some people feel he made a mistake," Shaq said ... "He apologized for his mistake. I always thought comedians were allowed to crack jokes."
"Anyone that knows Kevin Hart should know that anything he said was never malicious."
Of course, Shaq is referring to some of Hart's tweets and stand-up bits from 2009 to 2011 -- when the comic described how he'd react if he found out his son was gay.