Seems as though every few months, another story surfaces of a big man – a really big man! – showing up in stores, restaurants and even car dealerships to make some person or family happy with a much-needed and timely gift. Well, it’s happened again, just in time for the Christmas season.
Of course we’re talking about our man Shaq. Or maybe we should go with the Shaq-a-Claus label for stores like these? Either way, NBA legend and giver-backer Shaquille O’Neal is once again doing his generous thing, this time in Texas.
O’Neal was spotted in the courtside seats at Houston’s Toyota Center for a game Friday December 23rd between the Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. Local news reports showed the TNT NBA analyst smiling at the cameras…. Sporting a black muffler, some chunky jewelry and wearing a long-sleeved shirt.
Apparently Shaq hung out in Houston for a bit after game night. The next night – Christmas Eve – he was spotted (he’s hard to miss, right?) at Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen, a popular local eatery on the city’s west side.
As usual, the big man did his thing, spreading some holiday cheer to other folks enjoying a meal at the deli. and spreading holiday cheer to others at the restaurant on Christmas Eve.
According to a Facebook post from the deli later that evening, O’Neal checked out the new location and bought everybody’s meal in The Schmooze Room, which is a large private room available for functions and meetings at the establishment. Nice!
Of course, as we’ve reported here on the ShaqFu Radio blog many times in the past, this is something Shaq does when he’s out in public. After buying a home in Dallas over the summer, O’Neal was seen feeding a homeless woman and giving her cash, as well as buying a random lucky family a washing machine and 75-inch TV at a local Best Buy store.
Apparently this is becoming something of a very cool habit for Shaq. Back in February, he also bought a child a bike while at a Walmart. When asked about that move by local reporters, the former NBA superstar said, “Whenever I’m going in a store from now on, I’m buying somebody something.”
Recently, we reported that O’Neal is interested in buying – or at least becoming a big part of an ownership team – for an NBA franchise in Florida. Along with his interest in the Sunshine State, Shaq is also a fan of the Lone Star State as well.
When he bought his latest home in a sweet Dallas neighborhood, he told local reporters he wanted to have a home base to operate from as he expanded his “Big Chicken” restaurant chain across several areas in Texas.
Shaq has some Texas roots. The four-time NBA champion spent part of his childhood in San Antonio, playing basketball at Cole High School in the city. O’Neal led the Cougars to a 36-0 record and won the 1989 state title. Incidentally, it was the school’s first team state championship.
So… Shaq-a-Claus strikes again! Always fun and inspiring to see our guy making people happy, helping out when he can, during the Christmas season…and every time of year!