Growing up, Shaquille O’Neal had only one set of parents. His mother Lucille O’Neal, and his stepfather Phillip Harrison. His biological father was never in the picture.
Advertisement
The latter, Phillip Harrison was a great influence on Shaq and made him the man he is today. Unfortunately, Harrison passed away in 2013.
Following his death, Diesel was distraught. But, it was around this time that his mother Lucille felt he should reconnect with his biological father. Despite their tumultuous relationship.
Shaquille O’Neal decided to reconnect with his biological father on his mother’s recommendation
While Phillip Harrison was the father Shaquille O’Neal needed, his biological father was actually Joseph Toney. A man who struggled with addiction and staying out of jail.
To say that Shaq’s relationship with his biological father was poor is an understatement. O’Neal wanted nothing to do with Toney, especially after the latter attempted to force his way into Shaq’s life back in 1994.
Nevertheless, upon Harrison’s passing, The Big Aristotle’s mother felt it would be best for him to let bygones be bygones.
O’Neal chose to reach out also because he realized that he himself was an imperfect father and husband. As seen with his messy divorce in 2011.
However, things are different now. Shaq has a very respectable relationship with Toney and strives every day to be a better person for both his family and everyone else close to him.
Shaq did not know Phillip Harrison wasn’t his real father until he was 11
Phillip Harrison was an important part of Shaquille O’Neal’s life. However, the big man did not know that he was his stepfather until he was 11 years old. Something he only found out after realizing they didn’t share the same last name.
https://youtube.com/shorts/IMdYk0t_Ejc?feature=share
They may not have been related by blood. But the impact Harrison had on Shaq cannot be denied. They truly shared a strong father-son relationship.
