Shaquille O’Neal did not have the greatest of relationships with his biological father, Joseph Toney, as O’Neal Sr. spent some time behind bars, so he was not around when Shaq grew up. And it did not improve after Shaq made it to the NBA either. During his recent appearance on the Dear Fathers podcast, the 51-year-old recounted an incident when he met his real father and how things finally improved between the two.

The Hall of Famer noted that the chef at one of his favorite restaurants in Newark breaks down after seeing him whenever he eats there. While he was looking for his father, he found out that Toney lived in the same building as the restaurant and the chef was his friend. Also, his father had asked the restaurant staff not to bother his son. So, when he was back in Newark again, he reached out to his father and arranged a meeting. However, Toney was late.

The 4x NBA champion said, “So, I called him. He came an hour and a half late. So, ‘Yo man what you doing?’ He said, ‘I had to walk.’ I said, ‘Alright get in the car!’ So I bought him a little car. I said, ‘My man I don’t come to Jersey a lot but when I come and say come see me, don’t have me waiting an hour and a half!’ We’ve been cool. Good relationship.”

The Big Diesel also stated that the first thing he told his father was that he wouldn’t judge him for his past struggles. He noted that Toney was a top high school superstar in Newark and received a college scholarship as well.

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Shaquille O’Neal and Joseph Toney’s relationship

Joseph Toney was reportedly a convicted felon and was held guilty of possession of drugs and forging checks. Also, he was sentenced to six years in prison. So, he was absent during the childhood of Shaquille O’Neal. The 2000 NBA MVP did not know about his father for a long time as he believed his stepfather Phillip A. Harrison was his real father.

His mother, Lucille O’Neal, later told young Shaq about his biological father. After learning about this, the future Hall of Famer wanted to meet his father and Lucille drove him to Toney’s place. However, things did not work out and their relationship remained tumultuous for years. It took a while but things are finally smooth now and they share a close bond.

What are your thoughts on O’Neal’s relationship with his biological father? Let us know in the comments below.

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