Shaquille O’Neal is a Self-Made Man
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Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most recognizable figures on Earth. He starred in the NBA for nearly two decades — earning four NBA Championships and a host of personnel accolades which make him one of the best big men to ever play the game. Off the court, you’re looking at a guy who’s an excellent businessman, an accomplished media personality, the epitome of a ‘good samaritan’ when it comes to actively protecting his communities, a talented musician/DJ, and a very educated individual.
Despite being worth hundreds of millions of dollars, O’Neal didn’t receive any handouts. He came from humble beginnings and worked exceptionally hard to build the empire he’s cultivated since Day 1. This is something he’s trying to instill in his children despite the fact they grew up with the privilege he never had.
A Family Man
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Shaq prioritizes his family above everything else in his life. He has a very close relationship with his mother Lucille. Though his biological dad reportedly wasn’t really in the picture, Shaq built a strong father-son bond with his stepfather, Phillip. A Sergeant in the Army, Phillip instilled values of work ethic and compassion which Shaq still carries with him.
A proud father himself, O’Neal has six children. As he approaches his 52nd birthday, various reported estimates have the gregarious personality valued at approximately $400 million.
Shaq as the Basketball Star
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Few could match up to Shaq on the court. He was light on his feet, skilled with his post moves, and nearly unstoppable whenever he got the ball in the paint. There was literally no one with the physical prowess to dislodge Shaq from his favorite spots on the floor.
Throughout his illustrious career, O’Neal was a 4-time NBA Champion, a 3-time NBA Finals MVP, a 15-time All-Star, a 14-time All-NBA member, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His success on the court was fantastic. However, his pursuits off the court were just as successful.
A Gentle Reminder
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Shaq understands the value of hard work. He’s been grinding all of his life as both an athlete and a provider for his family. Things were not given to him on a silver platter. As such, these are values he’s taught his children dating back to when they were little kids. The hope is that his children can build their own empires without relying solely on their famous dad.
Off-the-Court
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There’s really nothing O’Neal hasn’t dipped his toe into. He’s been a lead actor in multiple movies throughout the years (Kazaam, Blue Chips). O’Neal has put out rap records and most recently toured the world as a very famous DJ. Currently, he stars as a lead analyst on the famed TNT show Inside the NBA.
A Smart Cookie
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Educationally, he earned a Bachelor’s degree from LSU, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a Doctoral degree from Barry University. This was a very important accomplishment for O’Neal. He spent a large chunk of time furthering his education. This feat is even more impressive considering his responsibilities as a father and the owner of various businesses. His mother Lucille was even in attendance to see Shaq get his Doctoral degree.
He’s Not a Businessman but a Business, Man!
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From a business standpoint, O’Neal reportedly owns hundreds of chain restaurants, gyms, car washes, and stores. You’ve probably seen him in various commercials involving Papa John’s Pizza. Shaq was also previously involved with the fast-food chain Five Guys. When succeeding in his shrewd investments over the years, it’s no surprise as to how O’Neal cultivated his wealth.
All About The Platform
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Due to how successful Shaq has been as a basketball player, it’s opened numerous doors for him to take advantage of. This is particularly the case in the media world — as well as being an entrepreneur. Surely, Shaq is trying to set an example for all six of his kids.
Shaq The Police Officer
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O’Neal has long been a supporter of law enforcement. So much, in fact, that he became a reserve law enforcement officer in South Florida. He also held similar titles in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami. Not only does he have immense respect for service workers throughout the United States, but the notion of having a safe, strong community is clearly at the forefront of Shaq’s mind.
A Star Media Performer
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Alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith, and Charles Barkley, O’Neal has become a pillar in the realm of analyzing basketball at the highest level. While he has a fun sense of humor which involves jokes and pranks, he takes his job very seriously. O’Neal often has honest, transparent, and thoughtful takes when discussing his peers in the game of basketball.
A Larger Than Life Personality
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Shaq is a role model to many all around the world — including his kids. By helping those in need, along with living life to the fullest daily, he is providing a template to follow as a good human being. His kids can get an up-close look at how impactful their father is.
Keep This in Perspective
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At the same time, Shaq knows the value of hard work. He scratched and clawed for every opportunity he garnered. He developed into a stud prep basketball player before earning a college scholarship. O’Neal became an NBA player — and ultimately one of the greatest players in the history of the game. While it could be easy for his kids to ride on his coattails, Shaq doesn’t want that to happen.
Put In The Work
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Shaq is a testament to the principle of hard work. He’s proven it time and time again on many massive stages — whether it be athletics, music, media, film, or the business world. He’s not going to simply hand over anything to his children without them working hard for the reward. By earning it, a level of self-respect and pride grows in a very positive way.
Find a Passion and Go For It!
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Shaq has been a supportive father to all of his children. It didn’t matter what any of his kids decided to do. When it comes down to it, Shaq is just hoping that his kids will be able to make a living doing what they love. It’s all about the work ethic!
Life Wasn’t So Glamorous For O’Neal
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Shaq’s life wasn’t always the glitz and glamor that it is today. There was a lengthy period in which his family went through some real struggles. This included growing up reportedly without his biological father (who reportedly battled addiction). Shaq was born and raised in the gritty city of Newark, New Jersey.
Boys & Girls Club of America Was Important
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In an interview with the New York Post in 2021, O’Neal spoke about the importance of the Boys & Girls Club of America:
“I came from nothing. But, just because I made it doesn’t mean I’m bigger than you, smarter than you — just because I have more money doesn’t mean I’m better than you. I’ve never been that way and I never will be that way. So I don’t want to be in that category of people.”
A Very Humble Individual
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Shaq could be one of the most arrogant individuals on Earth if he chose to be. His accolades speak for themselves, and he’s among the most wealthy athletes in the world. However, Shaq gets the bigger picture. He understands being kind to anyone he meets — whether it be his mom, kids, or a family member.
The O’Neal Family Plan
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Some of his children have opted to follow in Shaq’s gigantic footsteps. Son Shareef played at both UCLA and LSU before featuring for the NBA G League Ignite team. Daughter Me’Arah recently signed a letter of intent to play her college ball at the University of Florida. Others have pursued interests that are special to them.
Good Grades = Good Cars
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Shaq was quite strict with his son Shareef. When Shareef turned 16, Shaq reportedly made him a deal: If Shareef got straight A’s, he’d be given a Lamborghini. However, at the time, Shareef had a low B average. If Shareef maintained those grades, as an incentive, Shaq promised to get him a Jeep. Again, this is another example of O’Neal pushing the notion of personal responsibility.
Bad Grades Were Not Acceptable
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Through both his academic pursuits and the support of his parents, Shaq was all about getting good grades. If his kids got what he deemed as subpar marks, he’d be the first to tell them about it. In Shaq’s mind, bad grades were not acceptable.
Cautionary Tales
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Sadly, there are many examples of professional athletes who don’t know how to manage their money. They’d either spend it all when they were playing, or some would make poor investment choices which led to them being swindled out of millions. Surely, O’Neal had seen this during this time in the NBA. As such, it led to him making smart decisions financially speaking.
Building Connections
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Shaq is a very savvy businessman. That isn’t by mistake. The combination of his charming personality, innate feel for deals, and his multiple degrees have led to large levels of success. His celebrity status also enabled Shaq to meet a host of very smart, important people. By connecting with other successful people in the sector of business, all were able to benefit financially when they put their heads together on an idea.
All About School
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Shaq never received any handouts when he was growing up, and the same is expected of his kids. If they desire any aid financially speaking, it’ll come assuming they all graduate and take their studies seriously. By operating with this plan of action, Shaq prevents his kids from growing up spoiled and entitled like so many other offspring of famous people.
Don’t Forget the Charitable Efforts
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Shaq has done a lot of positive things in his adult life. Providing his kids with a great example of a stable, kind, positive dad is one of them. One way he goes about his business involves total selflessness. Knowing the background he came from, along with his love of children, Shaq is universally known as one of the most generous celebrities out there. He gives not only to children but also to families and individuals in need of support.
The Big Picture
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Speaking to People Magazine, Shaq had this overarching message to share:
“The world is at our fingertips. As adults, we have to help kids realize that. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have education, you can’t make it grow.”
Family is Everything
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When you hear about the reverence Shaq has for his parents, as well as the constant attention he gives his children, there’s one common denominator: Love. O’Neal has tremendous amounts of love for his family. Everything he’s done up to this point is to provide for those he cherishes the most.
Love Extends to Everyone
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We can all learn a lot from Shaq and the examples he provides daily. If you can, try to do something for someone else that can’t pay you back. This doesn’t have to be something rooted in money. It could be an act of kindness, a gesture, or even a short conversation/greeting to check in on someone. The simplest efforts also often end up the most powerful ones.
A True Larger Than Life Figure
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People might look at Shaquille O’Neal as simply a basketball player. He’s proven to be much more than just a tall human capable of putting a ball in a hoop. This larger-than-life figure understands several core values we all hope to instill in ourselves and our children. By being a positive, charitable, and kind person, Shaq is someone we all can look at as a beacon of inspiration.
