We all know Shaq and his history for helping people out IRL. He’s given a young man money to pay off the engagement ring he was buying… he’s purchased appliances and even cars for people when he’s seen a family in need. Now the big man has come to the aid of a young man with a problem O’Neal himself had to face – big shoes!
Shaq is a big man, that’s for sure. Towering over seven feet tall, he’s never, ever been someone who gets lost in a crowd. When you’re that big, there are all kinds of real-life issues to be dealt with. Finding clothes and shoes that fit, tops among those problems.
For Shaq, he can have suits and other clothing made especially for him. When it comes to shoes, that’s a bit more of a problem. Yes, fancy, professional leather shoes and boots can be made by hand, but sneakers? That’s a different story.
Not only for Shaq, it’s a story and a problem for anyone who has oversized footwear needs. (Indeed, one of our ShaqFu Radio blog editors has size 16 feet himself…) So that’s where the story of 14 year-old Eric Kilburn Junior comes into play.
The young man from Michigan is definitely in his growth spurt..he currency wears – when he can find them – size 22 or 23 sneakers. That’s the same (or bigger by one) than what Shaq wears himself!
Needless to say, Eric and his mother have struggled when it comes to finding shoes to fit. Eric has posted his story and his search for sneakers that fit on social media, and it turned into quite an interesting story on his hometown media outlets.
As the story went viral, the family did get a few offers. Both Puma and Under Armor stepped up to offer to make custom shoes. The story also got the attention of a certain Shaquille O’Neal, who reached out with a personal phone call!
It happened last week. Eric said his phone rang, and when he picked it up, he heard the unmistakable voice of basketball star Shaquille O’Neal. “I was flabbergasted…My soul left my body for a moment, I was so shocked.”
O’Neal told Eric that when he was the same age, his mom also couldn’t find the shoes he needed. The two talked about footwear and life for a bit. “Shaq said he made $900 million by listening to his mom and dad, so he told me to listen to my parents,” Eric said.
While both Under Armor and Puma have both said they’ll work to build shoes for the young man, O’Neal has already stepped in to help. Since the new shoes might take a couple months to build, Shaq reached out to his friends at Reebok, who are sending Eric five pairs of size 22 shoes they had originally created for O’Neal. They actually might be one size too small, but they’ve got to be a lot better than going around barefoot!
Mother Rebecca Kilburn said, “I’ve never seen my son smile so big. It’s tough to get a smile from a teen, but he is over the moon thrilled and blown away with options for shoes.”
Eric Jr. has already been in contact with O’Neal a second time, to express his gratitude when the Reeboks arrived the day after their call. “When he and I were texting about shoes, (O’Neal) said, ‘There’s much more coming big man. Love you,’” Eric said. “This is the ultimate.”
Thanks to our friends at USA TODAY for info on this story.