But right before he could go ahead with the contract, he met a mother who exposed the truth. She saw the 7-foot giant after a game and bashed him for making expensive sneakers. In an attempt to make up for it, O’Neal offered the woman $2000. However, she slapped the money away and said: “‘Why don’t you m*****f*****s make a shoe that’s affordable?’” Shaq was hit with reality after the scolding. Growing up in a poor family himself, Shaq never had the best sneakers on his feet.