Shaq Fu!

Shaquille O’Neal will lose his special deputy’s badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a video on an internet gossip site that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant. Boo-hoo.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in 2006 and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse later that year.

“I want his two badges back, because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they’re fired. I don’t condone this type of racial conduct.”

“I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever,” O’Neal said.

Arpaio, who describes himself as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” and is best known for feeding jail inmates green bologna, clothing them in pink underwear, and making them work on chain gangs, said he didn’t expect his actions would teach Shaq a lesson. But he hoped he learns that as a role model who wants to someday be a full-time sheriff, he needs to know his words matter. Thanks, Sheriff Manners!