“You Earn $60,000/Year in the Army?”: Shaquille O’Neal Once Offered His Father $500,000 to Work For Him and Made Him Cry

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest players of all time. The man has achieved so much in his life, both as a player and as a human being.

The person he is today is down to the lessons he learned as a child. His parents both of whom were strict but sharing taught Shaq well.

Diesel himself is well aware of that and even is grateful for the same. He is so grateful, that he even upgraded his father’s $60,000 army salary to $500,000.

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Shaquille O’Neal left his father in tears when he decided to bump his $60,000 army salary to $500,000

Shaquille O’Neal’s parents have played a huge part in making him the man he is today. From teaching him the right values to instilling in him his drive for success.

It’s clear his parents have done a lot for him. As such, it comes as no surprise that O’Neal would want to repay their kindness, and his gesture left his father in tears. Diesel decided to help his father retire from the army by making him run his business and offering him $500,000 a year.

“How much you make in the army? You only make $60,000? Well, now you’re making half a million a year. He started crying. Mama, how much you wanna make? You now make $750,000 a year. I put them on a real payroll and also taught them the business.”

Based on Shaq’s description, it’s safe to say his parents were pleasantly surprised. Good on the Big Aristotle for acknowledging everything his parents have done for him.

Shaq’s stepfather taught him many valuable lessons including what it is like to be under pressure

Shaq’s stepfather, Phillip Harrison was a huge influence in his life. The man taught O’Neal many valuable lessons which he remembers and follows even to this day. Like when he showed his stepson that true pressure is having to put a meal on the table.

Harrison truly was a boon in Shaq’s life. Without him, it is hard to imagine just where Diesel would have been.

Also Read: “One, Two, Three, Not One, Two, Back to One”: Shaquille O’Neal Isn’t Over the Time Charles Barkley Interrupted him Repeatedly