An overview of the childhood and early education of Shaquille O'Neal, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Shaquille O'Neal, known as Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7'1" and weighing 325 pounds, he dominated as a center for six NBA teams over his 19-year career. O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and centers in history.
On March 6, 1972, Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, the future basketball star, was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney.
After graduating from high school in 1989, Shaquille O'Neal began studying business at Louisiana State University (LSU).
In 1991, while playing basketball at LSU, Shaquille O'Neal received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year.
In 1994, on his rap album, Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings of disdain for Joe Toney in the song "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him with the line "Phil is my father."
In 1998, Shaquille O'Neal was initially selected to host the second episode of season 24 of Saturday Night Live, but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts. Kelsey Grammer replaced him, but O'Neal appeared in two sketches during the episode.
During the 2000 Screen Actors Guild strike, Shaquille O'Neal performed in a commercial for Disney and was subsequently fined by the union for crossing the picket line.
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal fulfilled his promise to his mother by earning his B.A. degree in general studies from LSU, with a minor in political science. He missed a home game so he could attend graduation.
A month before the 2001–02 season's training camp, O'Neal had corrective surgery for a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot. He opted against a more involved surgery to return quicker.
After the 2001–2002 season, O'Neal told friends that he did not want another season of limping and being in virtually constant pain from his big right toe and considered corrective options.
On March 2, 2005, Shaquille O'Neal was given an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal title and named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin' Foundation.
In June 2005, Shaquille O'Neal offered to pay for all of the funeral expenses for Hall of Fame center George Mikan, whom O'Neal considered a major influence. Mikan's family accepted the offer.
On December 8, 2005, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a Miami Beach reserve officer. Shortly after, he helped police arrest suspects in a hate crime by providing a description of the suspect.
In 2005, Shaquille O'Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix.
In September 2006, Shaquille O'Neal, as an honorary deputy, took part in a police raid on a home in rural Bedford County, Virginia.
In 2007, Shaquille O'Neal hosted Shaq's Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC where he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.
In June 2008, the Bedford County, Virginia, and Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff departments revoked Shaquille O'Neal's special deputyship after a video surfaced of him rapping about Kobe Bryant and using racial slurs.
In 2009, Shaquille O'Neal attended the Sportscaster U. training camp at S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He also studied directing and cinematography with the New York Film Academy's Filmmaking Conservatory.
On December 20, 2010, Shaquille O'Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall.
In 2011, Shaquille O'Neal became a Freemason, joining Widow's Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston.
In August 2012, Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander ended their relationship after residing together in O'Neal's home in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
In 2012, Shaquille O'Neal received his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development from Barry University. His doctoral capstone topic was "The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles".
On September 10, 2013, O'Neal's stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison, passed away due to a heart attack.
Following the death of his stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, in 2013, O'Neal's feelings toward his biological father mellowed.
In 2013, O'Neal endorsed Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie in his reelection bid, appearing in a television advertisement.
On January 11, 2014, Shaquille O'Neal performed the ceremonial first puck and drove a Zamboni for a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers.
On January 20, 2015, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer for Doral, Florida's police force.
In March 2016, Shaquille O'Neal met with his biological father, Joe Toney, for the first time, expressing that he did not hate him and that he had a good life with Phil Harrison.
In December 2016, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a sheriff's deputy in Jonesboro, Georgia, as part of Clayton County, Georgia Sheriff's Department. O'Neal holds the county record of Tallest Sheriff's Deputy.
In 2016, O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre, two-house compound in McDonough, Georgia for $1.15 million. The residence is named Shaq-Ingham Palace.
In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal lip synced the B-52s song "Love Shack" on the television show Lip Sync Battle.
In March 2018, Shaquille O'Neal and Laticia Rolle, a model, ended their relationship.
In 2020, O'Neal participated in a virtual rally for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and voted for the first time during the 2020 presidential election.
In 2021, Shaquille O'Neal mentioned that his admiration for Patrick Ewing inspired him to wear the No. 33 jersey.
On July 4, 2022, Shaquille O'Neal performed as DJ Diesel at the Jersey City 4th of July Festival with Flo Rida.
In July 2023, O'Neal purchased his first private jet, a $27 million Bombardier Challenger 650, featuring the Dunkman logo on the tail.
In November 2023, O'Neal's daughter, Me'Arah, signed her national letter of intent to play basketball for the Florida Gators.
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