“The Real Deal”: Worth $400 Million now, Shaquille O’Neal Once Prided Himself on Saving $75 on a Gift for his Father Phillip A Harrison

Shaquille O’Neal is always vocal about his strict upbringing in a military background. His stepfather, Sergeant Phillip A. Harrison, always provided little Shaq with all the love he needed from a father. However, this love came as a form of tough love, which later shaped the core of the $400 million-worth star’s current personality.

In a Rolling Stone interview from 1993, Shaq admits how he can get the best deal out of people. He narrates an incident at a barber shop where he was able to negotiate for a painting that was worth around $200. He got this painting as a gift for his father, who had just retired from the army.

Shaq has immense respect for his stepfather, which even transcends his love for his biological father. In several instances, he has called Phillip, rather than his biological father, his real parent.

Shaquille O’Neal once negotiated a brilliant deal with his barber to buy a gift for his retired father

Shaquille O’Neal was drafted to the NBA in 1992 by the Orlando Magic. Since then, it has only been wonders for the former LSU Tigers alumni. Shaq had an excellent first season and won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1993. Furthermore, Shaq’s rookie contract after the first season was a three-year extension worth $15 million. He even scored a $40 million sporting deal with Reebok at the time.

In this incident, a Rolling Stones interview from 1993 notes Shaq’s brilliance in negotiating a perfect deal. In a barber shop in Orlando, he saw a painting the barber was trying to sell for $250. Although he did not like the first painting the barber tried selling him, another one quickly caught his interest.

It was a painting of a 19th-century black cavalryman, a buffalo soldier. He thought this would be a perfect present for his stepfather, who had just retired from the army. While the barber, Des, claimed a price of $200, Shaq brought it down further to $125. He even paid an extra $5 for munching down on the barber’s chocolate mints!

Speaking of this incident, Shaq describes it by saying,

“I know how to get deals. That was my first nickname in college: The Real Deal.” 

Shaq and his stepfather’s relationship was always a strong one. However, as mentioned prior, the form of love Sergeant would show toward his stepson was the tough kind. On one occasion, Harrison was almost convicted of child abuse on Shaq, which almost cost him his job at the time.

Shaq’s father almost lost his job due to child abuse

Shaq grew up in and around army bases for most of his childhood. Everybody knows that the 7’11” man is goofy and mischievous, which has stayed with him to this date. However, his father, the late Sgt. Phillip Harrison once thrashed him hard enough to be booked for child abuse. 

In a story revealed by David Whitely, Shaq’s antics had gotten him into trouble with his stepfather. Once, he had pulled a fire alarm at the Army Gym, quickly prompting military police to be alerted. However, when he was caught, his father seemed furious with him. He was disciplined with a paddle by his Sergeant father as a means of disciplinary action.

Only a military officer’s threats of booking him with child abuse made him stop. Still, it is important to note that while that sounds pretty bad, Shaq wouldn’t really have it any other way. After all that kind of upbringing went a long way in making him the successful businessman that he is today.