Shaq tells critics of Rihanna's Super Bowl performance to shut their face

If you were one of the people that was critical of Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime performance you might have an angry Shaquille O'Neal to deal with, because the big man is not here for any of that. 

On his podcast ("The Big Podcast with Shaq") this week, O'Neal said all of the people being critical of her performance should "shut your face."

"She did a wonderful job," Shaq said on his podcast (via TMZ Sports). "She's pregnant. She blessed it. She didn't fall. Just leave it there. All you superstars that's disrespecting and causing beef. Shut it up."

He went on to say that if she was his woman he would have to "get at" critics. 

"If she was my woman and I seen one of you superstars do that. I'm gonna have to get at you. Rappers. Presidential candidates. I'm gonna have to get at you. Leave her alone."

With that, Shaq has spoken. 

The Super Bowl halftime show is arguably the biggest music event of the year simply because of the number of eyes that it draws. The halftime show reportedly had more than 118 million viewers, which is an absurdly high number of people.

But when that many people watch something, you are getting people across all demographics with varying tastes in music and entertainment. Not everybody is going to like it, and criticisms of the halftime performance are not something new. The NFL tends to target younger audiences with its performers, as well as people who will bring in non-football fans. Sometimes those audiences can clash, and people who do not know the performer, their music or that genre can tend to be overly critical. 

Just know that if you feel that way, Shaq has some words for you. A lot of words.