Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greats, and that is partly due to his tough childhood. His stepfather, Sgt. Phillip Harrison raised him to become one from a young age. This often included strict disciplinary actions such as scoldings and beatings. However, Shaq’s great-grandmother was not a big fan of this “training.”
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In fact, she wasn’t a big fan of Harrison, period. And, as revealed in his book Shaq Talks Back, she once attacked the army man for shouting at a baby Diesel, when Shaq was just 3 years old! Her choice of weapon? A shoe that left his stepfather stunned, and him marveling at just how tough of a woman she really is.
Shaquille O’Neal’s great-grandmother once clocked his stepfather Phillip Harrison in the head for shouting at him
Growing up, Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t exactly a model of discipline. In fact, he often found himself in a lot of trouble, which in turn resulted in strict disciplinary action. Disciplinary action that came at the hands of his stepfather, Sgt. Phillip Harrison. A man who terrified a young Shaq.
Sgt. Harrison started disciplining The Big Aristotle at a young age, as early as the age of three. He was insistent on making a man out of his stepson. And, this often included a lot of beatings and a fair bit of shouting. Something that obviously terrified the future Hall of Famer. However, one person who was at his side in his early years was his great-grandmother, whom he affectionately refers to as “Muma.”
Muma wasn’t the biggest fan of Sgt. Harrison’s antics, and often did whatever she could to ease Shaq’s pain. Like, give him a bottle of milk at bedtime. Well, one night, Phillip was so mad he snatched the bottle and began yelling at him. This infuriated Muma who proceeded to hit the military man on the head with a shoe.
“When I was about three years old and my father was trying to make me hard and not be a baby, Muma used to sneak me a milk bottle at bedtime. She had a little stash of them for me hid in her bedroom. So one time my father snatched me and snatched the bottle and started yelling at me. “Leave that boy alone!” Muma said. And then she took her shoe and hit him in his head. Just popped him, right in the head. Yeah, Muma was tough. Still is.”
It certainly must have been a hilarious scene to bare witness to. However, it is a bit harsh. After all, it was never Harrison’s intention to abuse Shaq. But, much rather, build him up to become the superstar he knew he could be.
Phillip Harrison disciplined Shaq in order to make him a better man
Sgt. Phillip Harrison’s decision to discipline Shaquille O’Neal in the most violent ways possible is often looked upon with distaste. After all, it just seemed cruel in most cases. However, his true intentions were to use the beatings and violence to turn Shaq into a better man. And, for the most part, it worked.
In fact, O’Neal has gone on record several times praising his stepfather for his discipline and thanking him for making him into the man he is today.
At the end of the day, there can be no denying that Sarge’s actions were well-intentioned. And, while they were a tad bit physical, it’s hard to imagine what Shaq would’ve been like if it weren’t for him.
