Shaquille O’Neal‘s journey from court triumphs to life off the hardwood has been filled with success and adulation. The NBA giant remains in the spotlight even after his retirement offering intriguing glimpses into his past experiences. One such reminiscence lately offered some dreadful details about his young life.

Shaq was quite candid about revealing a crime chapter of his life.

Shaquille O’Neal’s botched attempt to steal a car

Monica of MoTalk fame lately hosted the legend and asked him about his parents’ advice to him. “Don’t be a follower, be a leader,” Shaq replied with the words that his father taught him.

The basketball superstar went on to recount his growing-up years with a sense of introspection. “I used to get beat. I was beaten,” he recalled.

“Couple of times, I’d steal a car. Get out early. Crashed the car, one of my friends died. Couple of times, we are supposed to go touch some people up. I say no. Bang bang.”

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Shaq is vocal about what his parents have taught him and how it made an impact on his life. He once forgave an NBA player on the court and didn’t dunk on him simply because their mothers knew each other.

Shaquille O’Neal’s storied career

Shaq is far removed from whatever unfortunate events he faced while growing up. Post his retirement, he has evolved into a successful businessman, sports analyst as well as a DJ.

Shaq is also one of the few NBA players to have played the role of a superhero in Man of Steel (1997) and Kazaam (1996)

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Sports and crime might be poles apart, but there are situations when even the biggest of athletes have had to own up to misdemeanors as a matter of introspection.