Shaquille O’Neal Brings Audience To Tears With Emotional Words on His Mother: “I Can Remember Times… Best Cruise Line Ever”

Published 12/16/2021, 9:30 AM EST

Behind every sports athlete’s journey is a supporting family, and this rings true even for Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal famously donned the Los Angeles Lakers jersey in the NBA. His career remains wildly successful – with Lakers fans remaining grateful to O’Neal. He recently spoke about his mother, who remained influential in shaping his NBA career.

An event hosted by Carnival Cruise Line witnessed O’Neal reveal his admiration of his mother. While thanking his family, O’Neal reserved special mention for his mother Lucille O’Neal as he credited his career’s long run to her. He revealed how his mother persuaded him to maintain his attendance at school contrary to his wishes.

O’Neal said, “So mom from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you. I love you, I appreciate you, I wouldn’t be here without you. I can remember times where I didn’t want to go to school. And she said, ‘Go to school boy’. Now I’m the CFO of the best cruise line ever.”

Article continues below this ad

O’Neal is the CFO at Carnival Cruise Line. The CFO position at Carnival, however, in an interesting twist, means ‘Chief Fun Officer’. Carnivals’ Chief Fun Officer O’Neal spoke at Carnival’s official renaming ceremony of their cruise ship ‘Carnival Radiance’. O’Neal’s mother Lucille has been named the ships’ godmother by the cruise line.

Between 1996 to 2004, O’Neal wore the Lakers‘ iconic gold and purple jersey. He joined the Lakers from the Orlando Magic who had initially drafted O’Neal in 1992. O’Neal left an impressive legacy at the Lakers winning three NBA titles with the franchise.

WATCH: LeBron James and Lakers Locker Room Soak 23 Year Old Austin Reaves After Clutch Performance Against Mavericks

Article continues below this ad

Shaquille O’Neal and his family

As an NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal reached levels of success that many NBA players can only still dream of. Throughout his career, O’Neal kept his family close to him. His parents Lucille O’Neal and stepfather Phillip Harrison remained by his side over the course of his NBA career.

O’Neal only remained incensed at his biological father, Joseph Toney, for abandoning his family. However, they have since reconnected following their long period of separation with O’Neal, forgiving his father, who served a prison sentence. O’Neal currently remains a loving father to six children, from his various relationships.

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story: 5 times Shaquille ONeal almost killed his opponent on an NBA Court

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Shalom Saldanha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing his journalism degree, he has previously worked as a sports corresspondent for India Shorts/Business Upturn. A Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks fan, Shalom primarily got into the sport after discovering that he shared a mutual love for Arsenal with the 'Greek Freak'.

Shaquille O’Neal Brings Audience To Tears With Emotional Words on His Mother: “I Can Remember Times… Best Cruise Line Ever”

Shaquille O’Neal and his family

Trending

Shaq Warns Lakers Locker Room Of Jeanie Buss Game Plan If Darvin Ham & Co Fail Vs Nuggets

Heat Injury Report: Latest On Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson Ahead of Game 2 vs Celtics

What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees

Joel Embiid Banned By Empire State Building After Dangerous Incident On Court With Mitchell Robinson

“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment