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Aug 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal and Chicago Bulls 2024 NBA draft pick Matas Buzelis stand on the sidelines before a basketball game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Imago
Aug 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal and Chicago Bulls 2024 NBA draft pick Matas Buzelis stand on the sidelines before a basketball game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
“I’m so proud of you,” Shaquille O’Neal was visibly emotional when his daughter was named to the McDonald’s All-American Game. The proud father of 6 loves has always urged his kids to follow their passion. As his youngest son and daughter are following in his footsteps, he fondly watches them get better in their own way. Shaqir recently made his career first double-double. As he watched his daughter’s first-ever sports collectible, the Lakers legend couldn’t keep back his emotions.
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An IG handle PullWax which deals with Sports Cards recently shared a post. In the clip, the TNT host Adam Lefkoe can be seen as he unboxes a sports card. He mentioned that the sports card was sent by the Pullwax and after unboxing it, he handed it to O’Neal. He quickly recognised the Me’Arah’s signed sports card and said, “Ah my baby girl.” It was from McDonald’s All American as Lefkoe said. “@therealpullman gifted @shaq his daughter’s autographed McDonald’s All-American card and the big man got a little emotional.. Shaq even taught her how to autograph her card!! 🥹🫶” the post was captioned.
An emotional O’Neal even shared that he taught Me’Arah to do the autograph so that she could do it quickly. This was perhaps the best thing O’Neal has received ever as a gift. He looked at the camera and thanked the dealers. Me’Arah also reshared her father’s reaction on her Instagram Story.
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O’Neal had the same heartwarming reaction when he had handed the McDonald’s All American jersey to his daughter. “First of all, I want to say I’m so proud of you, and I love you,” he said. The 4x NBA champ was selected as the McDonald’s All-American in 1989. And then nearly, 35 years later, Me’Arah made it. It’s a rare achievement that Me’Arah was able to accomplish. She made an appearance on a special TNT segment where O’Neal presented the No. 24 jersey to her.
O’Neal loves his kids. However, when it comes to watching their games, he prefers to stay away.
Why doesn’t Shaquille O’Neal attend his kids games?
O’Neal’s ex-wife had a hard time being present for her son’s as well as daughter’s first college games. While she was physically present for her daughter’s game, she kept her phone close to watch her son play. As for O’Neal, he doesn’t wish to bother his kids and doesn’t attend any of their games.
He did make an appearance at his son’s game but only once. He watched Shaqir’s debut with the Florida A&M Rattlers against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. But what is the reason to avoid their games? “A lot of times when I go watch them play, they get nervous. I don’t ever want to make them nervous, so I just try to watch from afar,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said.
He says that his parents raised him the same way. “My mom and dad never really bothered me. They raised me to be a particular way, and then they said, ‘You’re 18, you’re an adult,” O’Neal said. While his parenting style might be different, his wish remains the same which is to see his kids successful, healthy, and happy.
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Edited by
Masaba Naqvi