Shaquille O'Neal, known as Shaq, is a retired NBA star, an analyst on TNT's Inside the NBA, a rapper, an actor, and a podcast host. But is he also a Christian?
Early Life
Shaq was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey. His parents, Lucille O'Neal and Joseph Toney, were both Baptist. However, they split up when Shaq was just a baby, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Phillip Harrison.
In his autobiography, Shaq says that he went to church regularly as a child and was baptized at the age of 12. He also writes that his mother was a strong believer and that he inherited his work ethic and discipline from her.
College years
Shaq attended Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1989 to 1992, where he played basketball for the LSU Tigers. While at LSU, he continued to attend church and was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
In an interview with CBN, Shaq said that his faith helped him stay humble and focused during his college years. "I always knew that basketball was a gift from God," he said. "And I always wanted to use it to glorify Him."
NBA career
Shaq was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and played for them until 1996. He then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and played for them until 2004. He won four NBA championships with the Lakers and was named the NBA Finals MVP three times.
During his NBA career, Shaq continued to attend church and was involved in various Christian organizations. In 2002, he released a rap album called "Respect", which included a track called "Biological Didn't Bother", in which he talks about his stepfather and his faith.
Retirement
Shaq retired from the NBA in 2011 and has since pursued various other interests. He has been a spokesperson for Gold Bond, Buick, and Icy Hot, among other companies. He has also appeared in movies and TV shows, such as "Grown Ups 2" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm".
In 2019, Shaq launched a podcast called "The Big Podcast with Shaq", in which he talks about sports, entertainment, and current events. He has also been a guest on various Christian podcasts, such as "The Church Boys" and "The Bible Binge".
Conclusion
So, is Shaq Christian? The answer seems to be yes. Shaq has talked openly about his faith throughout his life and has been involved in various Christian organizations. His faith has helped him stay humble and focused, both on and off the court.
Meta description: Shaquille O'Neal, known as Shaq, is a retired NBA star, but is he also a Christian? This article explores Shaq's early life, college years, NBA career, and retirement, to find out if he is a Christian or not.
Meta keywords: Shaquille O'Neal, Shaq, Christian, NBA, LSU, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Los Angeles Lakers, Gold Bond, Buick, Icy Hot, podcast, entertainment, current events.