Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most likable figures in NBA history. Well-mannered, and known for his charitable nature, Shaq has been giving back to the community for decades now. Having come from poverty himself, initially, Big Diesel did not care for the less fortunate. However, as he revealed on the Graham Bensinger Show, it was his parents, who earned a combined total of just $50,000 that taught him to take care of those in need.
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Over the years, Shaq has helped numerous charitable causes. From his work with his own Shaquille O’Neal Foundation to his activities with the Boys and Girls Club of America. The four-time NBA Champion has also name-dropped numerous organizations, giving them recognition for the work they do. He has done his part to make the world a better place.
Shaquille O’Neal credits his parents for teaching him how to be charitable and how to give back to the community
Growing up, Shaquille O’Neal and his family struggled to make ends meet. They rarely splurged on anything and when they did, as Shaq recalled, it used to be when he and his father went out to get burgers. However, even then, his parents found a way to teach him an important lesson. As his father stopped the car to give a homeless man the burgers and even gave him the last $20 in his wallet.
That was a time, despite his family’s poverty, O’Neal would act a bit spoiled. But, it was only upon seeing his father’s charity that he realized how important it was to give back to the community. After all, if his parents, who earned just $50,000 a year could find it in their hearts to take care of those in need, then so could he.
Since then, The Big Aristotle has worked with numerous charities. However, that’s not all. Shaq is also prone to performing random acts of kindness, much like his father. From paying $7000 in an apparel store for a teenager to buying some young kids a new laptop. He’s always looking to help out wherever he can.
“Because of what a man that made $30,000 taught me. From a woman who was a secretary, probably made $20,000 a year. They taught me that. So you know, a lot of people when they look at me and the charities that I do…it’s just from the heart!”
Shaq truly is a sweetheart, who cares for all those around him. And, while he was a mean machine on the basketball court, his personality off it tells a whole other story.
Kevin Garnett once claimed the NBA was lucky that Shaq was raised right
On the court, Shaquille O’Neal was a dominant force and gave many an opponent nightmares. However, according to his former teammate Kevin Garnett, things could have been a lot worse. In person, everyone knows that Shaq is one of the nicest people on planet Earth. However, KG is thankful the 2000 MVP was raised right.
As he once pointed out, he is grateful for Lucille O’Neal, Shaq’s mother. Why? Because he believes the NBA would have had a problem if O’Neal wasn’t raised right.
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The Big Ticket makes a great point. Shaq was always a problem on the court. Couple that with an even meaner and more aggressive version of him and things would have not ended well.
