Shaquille O’Neal has chosen to give back to the community that has shaped him into the person he is today. From paying for his friends’ education to sponsoring sneakers for student athletes and young kids, the Lakers legend has always given back with a big gesture of gratitude.
O’Neal not only tried to improve people’s lives, but he also helped their loved ones after their demise. Following the unfortunate news that four little girls lost their lives in a fire due to their mother’s alleged negligence, O’Neal offered to pay for the funeral costs of the four young girls who lost their lives in a fire.
According to Pubity, the mother of the children is now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse after leaving her four daughters, Kalani, Kendall, Josephina, and Sophia, in the care of her 11-year-old daughter. The girls were two, three, four, and six years old, respectively.
O’Neal reportedly also made a statement on the matter after announcing that he is covering the funeral costs for the grieving family. Calling it his “moral responsibility” as a Sheriff, Shaquille O’Neal feels the world lost some promising, innocent souls in the fire in North Carolina on August 30.
“These were innocent lives, full of promise, taken far too soon. To the grieving family, you are not alone in your pain. We see you, we mourn with you, and we help you carry this burden.”
Shaquille O’Neal very recently also admitted that he is still in touch with Kobe Bryant’s mother, years after his unfortunate death in the helicopter crash. He says he calls her ‘once a month’ just to check in on her, especially after she also lost her husband to a stroke.
“Their mom has been through a lot in a couple of years, and that takes a toll, and sometimes you just need somebody to just call to check on you,” O’Neal explains.
“I kind of know what it feels like with the passing of her son, but I don’t know what it feels like to lose a son and a husband, so I’m sure she has a lot of pain that she’s dealing with…. I just try to make her smile. I just try to do whatever I can, because I know it’s tough.”
This shows that O’Neal doesn’t just throw money at his problems; he feels the emotional burden is also a result of his big heart.
