We’ve seen and heard the stories… how Shaquille O’Neal can be so ridiculously generous with people he doesn’t even know. Well now there’s another story to add to the legend, and this one goes far beyond anything we’ve heard in the past.
In the past, you’ve read here on the ShaqFu Radio blog about how the big man has bought stuff like a laptop computer for a mom and child in a store…and even helping a young man pay off an engagement ring on layaway at an Atlanta-area jewelry store.
Sometimes, it’s just a few burgers at a local fast-food restaurant. No matter, we’ve seen and heard the stories of Shaq extending kindness to all kinds of people, in all kinds of situations. When he once bought a bike for a young kid, he explained that every time he leaves the house, he wants to bless someone in one way or another.
No doubt Shaq is a very wealthy man. He made a lot of money in his playing days with the Lakers and other teams, but more than that, he’s used his money and his business brains to continue to grow an entrepreneurial empire. You can check out many other posts about Shaq’s business dealings here on the blog.
Still, even with all that history of giving, helping and blessing, this latest chapter of Shaq’s story is over-the-top impressive. It’s not clear how O’Neal connected with a family of 11, but he ended up taking the entire brood out to dinner… and then he bought them a much-needed car!
In fact, people at the restaurant where the story started say O’Neal also bought dinner for another family in the house that night. But when Shaq saw the big family struggling with a run-down minivan, he took them to a Mercedes-Benz showroom and bought them a new car.
Mom and dad say Shaq spent a lot of time with their children, teaching them about the value of family and love. The family posted to their Instagram account:
I have no words right now!!!
Today Shaq blessed us like never before.
Like literally no words.
Last night we had a surprise visit from Shaq. He took us to dinner as a family at babes chicken. It was so much fun to just hang out and eat dinner with him.
And then today!! He started the day off by taking us to the Mercedes dealership to get us a new family 15 passenger van.
We were outgrowing our 12 passenger van and the air conditioning wasn’t always working the greatest and so this is such an outrageous blessing.
They didn’t have any in stock and so we got to customize and order a van that should be here in July.
He then took us to dinner at rainforest café where he paid for another tables entire meal not knowing that they were from out of state and here on missions. And then he tipped our waitress $1000 after her car broke down today.
And then when he saw my husband‘s truck that has been without air-conditioning and heat for a while he took us to a Ford dealership and blessed us with another truck.
He also spent time encouraging us and loving on our children and speaking life into our family. I am completely lost for words.
Somebody wake me up because I must be dreaming.
Thank you Shaq times a million times!!! You have been such a blessing to us in so many ways.
O’Neal’s willingness to give back to the community – and to people who need a hand – can be a real inspiration to everyone. A great reminder that that we should all strive to help those who are in need. If there were more people like Shaquille O’Neal in the world, it would surely be a much better place.