Shaquille O’Neal‘s stepfather was principled and his toughest coach. As much as he shaped Shaq, the most competitive center in NBA history, he was also an exemplary father figure. The sergeant’s parenting lessons were a prominent subject during O’Neal’s appearance on The Dear Father’s podcast. He touched on when he became a dad in the prime of his career. His eldest, Taahirah O’Neal, was born in 1996, the year he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. Very quickly, Shaq had to learn how to raise a daughter. Fortunately, he had his dad’s template.

“Growing up with my father-Sergeant… he teaches you man’s job was to protect, provide and love, period,” he said. Shaq saw Harrison follow his principles while he was growing up. “Like I could remember times like on Christmas, he said, ‘hey, man when you have daughters you’ll understand this. The daughters want the Barbies and the Barbie house and the Barbie cars. I can’t afford all that s**t right now. So, let me take care of the ladies first and then I get back to you.'” 

Shaq was the eldest of four with a brother, Jamal, and two sisters, Ayesha and Lateefah. They had a tough financial situation up until O’Neal was earning millions in the NBA. However, Harrison ran the household like a tight ship and ensured everyone was provided for. Shaq has many stories about Harrison teaching him to take care of his family.

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Now Shaq is a dad of six with three daughters and three sons. Like Harrison, he too expects all his kids to be independent. But half of them have a small leg up in the O’Neal household.

The O’Neal Girls have a slight edge

Myles, Shareef, and Shaqir can blame their late grandfather for the healthy degree of favoritism between them and their sisters. Big Diesel is unashamed to admit he adores Taahirah, Amirah, and Me’Arah just a little more. It started as soon as Taahirah was born. “With me having a daughter I know I was going to have to be in super super protective mode,” he said.

“I don’t want my guys to hear this and feel disrespected but I got a lot more love for the girls than I do for the boys.” His principles also extend to his children’s mothers, Arnetta Yardbourgh and Shaunie Henderson. He, however, said that the boys know why the “girls get more privileges,” and understand it.

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There are some things that all six kids are equal in. Shaq expects all of them to prioritize their education and not expect handouts from him. Like his firstborn’s big business venture and his youngest daughter matching Shaq’s three-decade-old achievement. The sergeant would probably be proud of his granddaughters.

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