The pressure of performing for any athlete is immense. Now add a startling legacy on top of it, and you have a whole lot to deal with. This is the type of problem that the children of some of our greatest athletes face. One of which is Me’Arah O’Neal, the 17-year-old daughter of the NBA’s favorite Big Man, Shaquille O’Neal.

However, for Me’Arah, these were not all the problems that she had to face while growing up. She was only five years old when her parents separated. On top of that, the global pandemic that the world had to endure was right in between her budding years as an athlete. However, her stepfather became a support system in these tough times.

Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter is trading her father’s path

It must be a difficult task to live up to the expectation of being Shaq’s daughter while pursuing a career in sports. Shaq is deservingly named among the greatest athletes to have ever played basketball. With his 4 NBA championships, 15 All-Star appearances, and three Finals MVPs, he is one of the most decorated NBA players ever. Even outside the court, the Big Man has made a major mark and has amassed over $400 million in net worth. However, with the right support behind her, Me’Arah is on track to be great. In a recent interview, it was revealed that her step-father, Keion Henderson, became her savior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From preparing a makeshift hoop to becoming her teammate so that she could practice her craft, Keion played a crucial role in keeping the youngster constantly in practice. While talking to ESPN, Keion said that it was important for her to understand the weight that her surname carries in the world. “You’re not normal. Your father is an icon, which means that you’re gonna have attention and expectations on you that the average kid won’t have”, he recalled telling Me’Arah.

Read More: “I Give Them Incentive Packages”: Unbothered by Disappointed Sons, Shaquille O’Neal’s Strict Parenting Sees One Bias

Shaquille O’Neal’s philosophy on raising kids

There is no doubt that Shaq is a proud father. Over the years, he has only said great things about all his kids. However, that doesn’t mean that he believes in handing out privileges to them. The Big Man believes in giving them a real understanding of life, to the best of his abilities. In order to accomplish that, he has made it clear in the O’Neal household that they’ll have to earn their own money.

Back in 2021, he revealed on a podcast one of his primary lessons. He said, “I tell them all the time. We ain’t rich. I’m rich”. In addition to the money angle, he has also explained that he wishes to see everyone with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

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