The one person who can put Shaquille O’Neal in his place is his mother. 69-year-old Lucille O’Neal has always wanted the best for her son. So when she once realized that the Los Angeles Lakers legend was swaying away from the way she raised him, Lucille was quick to remind Shaq of his mistakes and help him change. Though the 7-footer is often seen being humble and generous in public, his good nature was aided by his mother’s lectures.

Lucille O’Neal helped her son realize how people change with their ‘celebrity’ status. “I don’t want to be the guy. I did it one time, and my mother was pissed. She used words I haven’t heard her use in a long time,” said Shaquille O’Neal in a recent interview with People. He also added that his mom once showed him videos of himself acting out because of his status in public. Lucille wanted her son to change. Shaq then said, “She said, ‘That’s not necessary, baby. You don’t need to do all that stuff.'”

Although Big Diesel is worth over 400 million dollars, he rarely acts differently from any other person. Shaq never has an entourage with him when he is traveling, nor does he try to behave like the smartest person in the room because of his wealth. And he has his mother to thank for his humility.

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Shaquille O’Neal has always listened to his mother. She has guided the big man in his journey, always stayed with him, and made him a better person. Shaq himself has revealed on occasion that he does not want to ruin anything that he has built for his mother.

Shaquille O’Neal stopped drinking because of his mother

Although Shaq is very outgoing, he has decided to never drink in public. He revealed that this decision was made with his mother in mind. Shaquille O’Neal said, “I can’t do nothing to jeopardize my mother’s empire.”

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For him, it was important to not cause any trouble or tarnish his image after drinking in public. So he chose to stay away from it and protect what he had built. Shaq’s father had told him that if he messed up, then it would be his mother who would have to bear the burden along with Shaq.

So the 2000 NBA MVP made a choice and has been sticking with it for years. What do you think of Lucille O’Neal’s influence on Shaquille O’Neal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!