Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has time and again expressed his love and immense respect for his parents. While Shaq’s biological father remained out of the picture in his childhood, the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s stepfather remained a constant presence in his life. Phillip A. Harrison was a drill sergeant and lived a disciplined life. This was why Harrison raised Shaq in a similar way. While they didn’t have the most loving father-son bond, Harrison made sure to raise Shaq as a strong-minded person. However, not everyone could endure Harrison’s harsh words like Shaq could, as the Big Diesel recently revealed.

Shaquille O’Neal has always spoken highly of Harrison and considers him his real father. Hearing Shaq’s stories about his father might indicate that the basketball giant had a tough time growing up. However, the Big Aristotle clarified how Harrison’s tough love moulded him into the great man he is today.

Shaquille O’Neal vindicates his father’s tough love

In the latest episode of the Big Podcast with Shaq, Shaquille O’Neal narrated an instance that revealed why his father preferred subjecting him to tough love. The 15x NBA All-Star got into a discussion with co-hosts Nischelle Turner and Anthony Adams about former Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield. When Turner talked about Mayfield taking a hit on his self-esteem, Shaq disagreed and said that ‘it’s part of the business’. Recalling his dad’s words, Shaq stated that a player should concentrate on improving his game rather than worrying about criticism from the media and the fans.

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“He’s a people person. Like I remember one time he said ‘Bro, people pay a lot of money watch you play. Put on the show’. So if I wasn’t putting on the show for the people, he’d go off and like as soon as I know I’m getting the phone, be like, ‘Hello’ and he just, ‘Motherf***er, what the f**k am I watching?'” said Shaq, recalling the harsh words Harrison would say to him to push him further. To ‘shut’ his dad up, Shaq would then give his best performance in the game. However, Harrison didn’t treat all his kids the same way for a very valid reason.

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Shaq added, “You can’t do that with all your children. Like my brother Jamal, Lateefah, Ayesha, they couldn’t handle that.” According to Shaq, his father’s parenting method wouldn’t work for everybody like it worked for him. Similarly, the four-time NBA champion pointed out that of his kids, only Shaqir can handle his ‘abuse’ well. The rest of the kids are even intimidated by his mean-eye look.

Shaq fulfills Harrison’s dying wish

Shaquille O’Neal’s father, Phillip Harrison, passed away in 2013 and Shaq has been honoring his father’s last wish since then. Harrison’s death devastated the Lakers legend and despite being taught not to cry he didn’t hold back his tears on the tragic day. Before passing away, Harrison asked Shaq to take care of their family and the latter promised that he would do so.

Shaq said, “Father told me long time ago, it’s a man’s job to protect and provide. So now that the don is gone, second in charge, which is me, I protect them and provide for my family. My brother’s and sister’s family. My mother’s family. It’s what you got to do as a man.”

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Following Harrison’s death, Shaq took it upon himself to take care of his family’s needs and protect them as their ‘Godfather’.