On Tuesday night, Los Angles Lakers forward LeBron James’ show, The Shop, made its debut on HBO, with New York Giants star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., as among the pilot’s guests. One of the subjects discussed in the episode was the increased challenges for black athletes compared to their white counterparts to act without being perceived negatively by the public.

Beckham agreed to what LeBron James was saying, but he took it to another level when compared himself to a “zoo animal,” while telling a story about a recent instance in which he turned down a fan’s request to take a photo with him (h/t Matt Lombardo of NJ.com).

“I had it happen the other day. I didn't want to take a picture. Like, I'm like I'm really in a rush, I've got to go. I get on Twitter, it's like, oh, yeah, I'm a Giant season ticket-holder for thirty years. I'm like, ‘first of all, you're twenty something.’

“And then, it's like, oh, he's an asshole, he didn't want to take a picture. It's like…

“To me, I be feeling like, I tell people this all the time, I really feel like a zoo animal. Like that's where life's gone for me. You know, you used to take your kids to the zoo and we used to be like, you know, I want to see the lions or let's go see the lions. And you go out there, and the lions are laid out. You know what I mean?

Article Continues Below
More New York Giants News
May 10, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws a pass during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Giants rumors: Insider makes ‘inevitable’ Jaxson Dart predictionMike Gianakos ·
New York Giants RB Cam Skattebo next to WR Wan'Dale Robinson and a silhouette of an American football player with a big question mark emoji inside. There is also a logo for the New York Giants.
3 New York Giants underrated sleepers who could break out in 2025 NFL seasonBen Strauss ·
Giants HC Brian Daboll (center) with Giants Kayvon Thibodeaux and Giants Devin Singletary behind him
3 Giants veterans whose roles will be pushed by rookies in 2025Jaren Kawada ·
New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen looks on during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Facility.
Giants DC shares hilarious ‘pirate’ analogy with defenseTim Crean ·
Giants OTAs, Thomas Fidone
Rising New York Giants rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsCameron Zunkel ·
Receiver Jalin Hyatt warming up before New York Giants game.
3rd-year Giants receiver fires ‘grudge’ warning to criticsAndrew Korpan ·

Famous athletes getting bugged by fans for photos and autographs are not a new thing, but that’s not what the point James and Beckham were referring to. They’re simply saying that white athletes have a longer leash compared to African American athletes when it comes to maintaining a neat public image.

Other guests on this The Shop episode were Candace Parker, Draymond Green.