Shaquille O’Neal is a loving father who dotes upon all of his six children dearly. While many other NBA players might have a nasty reputation as fathers, Shaq isn’t the same. He makes sure he is present as a father figure for his children. He especially loves Taahirah and Shareef. Shaq, who was once mistaken for a gorilla, is a ‘Superman’ for his kids.
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He had previously revealed how every time he visits the gorilla section in the zoo, the creatures go crazy about seeing him. Perhaps, given his 7-foot-1-inch frame, many gorillas assume Shaq is one of them.
Shaq said he felt like ‘Superman’ for his kids when he visited the zoo. He elaborated further in his book Shaq Talks Back about this same feeling. He once took his daughter Taahirah and eight of her friends to the zoo when her daughter referred to him as ‘Superman.’ Furthermore, she claimed to be a ‘Supergirl,’ which all her friends agreed upon. Little things like these bring immense joy to Shaq, which is evident from the feelings he has poured while writing the book.
Shaquille O’Neal considers time with his daughter paramount despite winning back-to-back titles
Back in 2001. Shaq was at the peak of his career. He had won two consecutive titles with the Lakers and was in red-hot form. However, besides all these victories, he still considered time with his family and children his utmost priority.
Like every father, Shaq also loved taking his daughter out to visit the zoo. In 2001, when Shaq took his daughter and her friends to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, his daughter called him ‘Superman.’ She later called herself ‘Supergirl,’ which Shaq recalls fondly in his book. He writes,
“During the summer, I spend a lot of time with my children. One of the best days of my summer was when I took Taahirah to the zoo with eight of her friends on July 19, her birthday. I also took them to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. I could hear my daughter in the background saying, ‘My daddy’s Superman, so that makes me Supergirl.’ And all the kids went, ‘Yeah, you are Supergirl. Your daddy is Superman.’ “
Although Shaq is separated from Taahirah’s mother, he still has a good relationship with her for the sake of their children. He does not neglect any needs of his children at all and would go as far as to bring the whole world for them. This is entirely contrary to the other NBA players, who have instead been negligent dads while having glorious professional careers.
Shaq likes Taahirah and his daughters more than his sons
Shaq is relatively lenient with his daughters compared to his sons. He has always been candid about this relationship and said,
“I like my girls a little bit better. Because, as a man you have to protect, provide, and love your women.”
Shaq has always valued all the women in his life profoundly, whether his mothers, partners, or daughters. He has always been vocal about caring for them and allowing them the space to discover themselves. However, when it comes to his sons, he has rather been tough with them, just like his stepfather was with him. Shaq says,
“I tell my boys, ‘When y’all get 18, you all got to go.’ Girls can stay as long as they want. I’m dead serious. They can stay as long they want, take your time. Go to college, get your Master’s, get your doctorate, I’ll pay for it. Take your time.”
Shaquille O’Neal is an excellent example of a perfect athlete, a great dad, and an incredible human being. These values make him a much-adored figure amongst NBA fans.
