Serena and Shaq Remind Us: The 90s Were Their Warm-Up Act
Remember when the internet wasn't a thing? When "viral" meant you had the flu, not a TikTok sensation? The 90s, man. A different era. So it’s been pretty cool watching athletes who owned that decade jump on the "What were you like in the '90s?" trend, set to the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris." Serena Williams and Shaquille O'Neal, specifically, dropped some serious nostalgia bombs, reminding everyone just how much talent was brewing before the millennium hit.
Shaq's entry was classic O'Neal. The dude posted clips of his early Magic days, swatting shots and shattering backboards. He was drafted first overall in 1992, remember, and immediately averaged 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds as a rookie. He even dropped a 24-point, 28-rebound game against the Nets in '93. Shaq was a force of nature even then, a physically dominant big man who made other centers look like middle schoolers. He wasn't the polished, four-time NBA champ we remember, but the raw power was undeniable. You see those early clips, and it's clear: the Lakers dynasty was just a matter of time once he linked up with Kobe. His move to L.A. in 1996, signing a seven-year, $121 million deal, truly kicked off the next phase of his legend, but the 90s built the foundation.
Serena's video, though, that one hit different. She debuted professionally in 1995 at the tender age of 14, playing a qualifying match in Quebec. Think about that for a second. While most of us were stressing about algebra, Serena was already stepping onto a pro court. Her clips showed glimpses of that early power, the nascent ferocity that would become her trademark. She won her first Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 1998, partnering with Max Mirnyi, then captured her first singles major at the 1999 US Open, beating Martina Hingis. That win wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Hingis was world No. 1, and Serena, a teenager, just blew past her. It signaled the end of one era and the absolute beginning of another. And honestly? I think her 1999 US Open run is still one of the most underrated major victories in tennis history. People forget how truly dominant Hingis was before the Williams sisters arrived.
**The Pre-Internet Grind**
Here's the thing: these guys weren't training for Instagram. They weren't building personal brands on TikTok. Their grind was pure, unadulterated sport. Shaq was dominating the paint because that's what centers did. Serena was perfecting her serve because that's how you win Grand Slams. There was less noise, less distraction. You had to be good because the highlights reels were on *SportsCenter* once a day, not on your phone every five minutes.
And that's the beauty of this trend. It’s a reminder that true greatness, the kind that transcends eras, usually starts with raw talent and an insane work ethic long before the cameras, and certainly before the internet, were constantly rolling. The 90s weren't just a decade of grunge bands and dial-up; they were the proving ground for legends. My hot take? No athlete debuting today will have the same kind of sustained impact as a Serena or a Shaq, simply because the sheer volume of content and immediate gratification makes it harder to stay hungry for two decades. The 90s bred a different kind of beast.
Expect more of these throwback trends, and they'll keep reminding us that the seeds of legendary careers were often sown in an era before "going viral" was even a concept.