“I Had to Get 2 Injections to Walk”: Using His Policeman Training, Shaquille O’Neal Critically Injured a Lakers Loyalist

Published 12/10/2022, 2:10 PM EST

Apart from being one of the greatest NBA players ever, Shaquille O’Neal is a millionaire, a popular media analyst, and also a DJ. A little-known fact about Shaq is his career as a cop.

O’Neal always aspired to become a cop and he is a certified Sherriff! Interestingly enough, he sometimes used his cop training to have a little fun with his teammates and friends. However, sometimes it turned ugly.

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In one instance, legendary Lakers trainer Gary Vitti was gravely injured when Shaq pulled off a dirty trick on him. Due to his antics, Vitti was unable to walk and had to take 2 injections.

Shaquille O’Neal once gravely injured Lakers trainer

7-foot-1 inches tall Shaquille O’Neal was a force to reckon with on the basketball court. It seems the same applies off the court as well. In the recently released ‘Shaq‘ documentary, Los Angeles Lakers trainer Gary Vitti talked about how O’Neal injured him once.

Shaq once randomly started frisking Vitti in policeman style in front of everyone. This continued for a while and Vitti had enough one morning. He rebelled and hit O’Neal when the Lakers superstar tried to continue with his usual frisking.

Vitti’s punch wasn’t taken well by Shaq who hit the legendary trainer. As a result, he had to get 2 injections in order to even walk as Shaq’s punch hit him in the pelvis.

Vitti describes in a recent documentary about O’Neal, “And so he turned around and yelled to everybody in the training room, “he’s resisting arrest!” And he went to wind up to punch me, and I saw it coming so I turned, and he hit me right in the back of my pelvis. I had to get 2 injections to walk.”

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There have been various instances when Shaq’s pranks on his teammates have not ended well. In most cases, it is the person being pranked who is on the wrong end of things.

Shaq earns $1 yearly as a cop

During a private ceremony in 2005, Shaquille O’Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer with Miami Beach according to Bleacher Report. Interestingly enough, he would be earning just $1 yearly for his services!

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Despite his superstar status, he had to undergo regular tests in order to become a cop. He had to take psychological and physical tests as well as a background test.

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What is your favorite memory of Shaquille O’Neal? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Written by:

Abhinava is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication. Abhinava has been following NBA for the past 6 years and is a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry.

Edited by:

Gideon Mathson

“I Had to Get 2 Injections to Walk”: Using His Policeman Training, Shaquille O’Neal Critically Injured a Lakers Loyalist

Shaquille O’Neal once gravely injured Lakers trainer

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Shaq earns $1 yearly as a cop