Shaquille O’Neal needs no introduction. The iconic NBA star is, possibly, one of the most popular and loved athletes in the world. However, apart from his athletic prowess, the sportsperson also stands out for his generosity and philanthropy.
And O’Neal was back with his charitable ways recently in a story that has now gone viral.
The NBA legend surprised a customer when he took out his own card to pay for an engagement ring the customer was purchasing at a Zales store in McDonough, Georgia, where O’Neal happens to have his own jewelry collection.
“I seen a guy come in — he was just so shy and he was saying, ‘Hey, how much do I owe to pay off my ring?’ ” O’Neal said during NBA on TNT of the unforgettable moment.
“And I was like, ‘How much is the ring?’ ” the athlete recalled of what he said before stepping in and generously paying off the ring.
“I was like, ‘You know what? Tell your girlfriend I got it. I’ll take care of it,’” O’Neal said. “At first, he didn’t want to take it… I said don’t worry about it. I do it all the time. I’m just trying to make people smile, that’s all.”
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The video, which was shared on Instagram, has now gone viral, with many appreciating the NBA legend for his selfless gesture. Interestingly, O’Neal had no idea that he was being recorded.
Speaking about the incident to 11live, an employee at the store said that the beneficiary chose two rings in his budget. However, there was a problem – the sale on the jewellry items was ending that day. The man was trying to figure out a way of buying the ring by paying up some money each month. Then, he went outside to take a call when Neal walked up and offered his card at the billing counter to pay for the engagement rings.
“I’m just trying to make people smile… That’s all.”@SHAQ helped a young man out at a local jewelry store by paying for his engagement ring. pic.twitter.com/eK8n0YHGb7
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2021
However, this is not the first time that O’Neal has been in news for his altruism. He has a documented history of helping those in need, time and again. For instance, in 2019, he bought a new home for the family of a 12-year-old boy who was paralyzed in an Atlanta shooting incident.
Isn’t this just an amazing gesture by the star? What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
