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Shaquille O'Neal secretly paid for a stranger's engagement ring while they were standing in line

His reason? "Trying to make people smile."

NBA on TNT/Twitter

A guy shopping for an engagement ring got the surprise of his life from the NBS star.

Many of us like to daydream about what we'd do if we had more money than we know what to do with. And many of us like to picture ourselves being generous with our wealth, helping out random folks who could use some help.

Shaquille O'Neal, the 7' 1'' basketball legend known colloquially as "Shaq," seems to be someone who belongs to this category. Back in 2021, while at a shopping mall Zales, O'Neal gave an unsuspecting guy trying to pay off part of his engagement ring the surprise of his life.

As the young man talked with the clerk at the jewelry store counter about how much he still owed for his ring and when he'd be able to pay it off, an extraordinarily large hand handed the clerk a credit card. Shaq overheard their conversation and decided to take care of the bill himself. No big announcement. No fanfare. He just handed over his credit card, shook the stunned customer's hand and patted him on the back, and that was that.

Someone caught the moment on video and shared it, which prompted Shaq's co-hosts on NBA on TNT to ask him about it the next day.

shaquille oneal, basketball, charity, good news, positive news, charity, engagement ring, kindness, celebrity He didn't skip a beat. media0.giphy.com

One of the first questions was, "You went to the mall, and went to Zales?!?" Not exactly where one would expect a person with a $400 million net worth to be hanging out on a Monday, but Shaq pointed out that he has a jewelry line at Zales. He went in to get some hoop earrings. Alrighty.

The young man at the checkout counter was so shy, Shaq said, and when he heard him talking about paying for his engagement ring, Shaq asked him how much it was and offered to pay for it.

At first, the guy refused, but Shaq insisted. And apparently, he does these random acts of generosity all the time.

He said he was recently in a furniture store (seriously, do multi-millionaires not shop online?) and saw a mom with an autistic daughter buying furniture. He just took care of their bill, just because.

"I'm into making people happy," he said. "I didn't mean for that to get out because I don't do it for that...I'm just trying to make people smile, that's all."

Shaq's generosity is well-documented, despite his preference to keep much of it under wraps. In a 2015 interview with Graham Bessinger, he explained how his father's charity—despite their family not having a lot of money—influenced him.

After giving the family's bag of hamburgers to a homeless veteran, his father got into the family car and told him, "If you ever make it big time, make sure you help those in need."

Shaq remembered those words and engages in charity in a range of ways, "because of what a man who made $30,000 a year taught me," he said. "And a woman who was a secretary who probably made $20,000 a year—they taught me that."

His giving comes "from the heart," he said. He's not looking for attention or accolades—he just wants to make people happy.

"I'm doing this because this is what I was taught," he said. "I'm doing it because to walk in there and see a family, put a smile on their face for a day, that's just awesome to me."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"That's my thing. I just want to make you smile," he said.

Shaq once asked a restaurant server how much of a tip she wanted, and when she quipped "$4,000," he gave it to her. When a 12-year-old was paralyzed by a stray bullet in a shooting, Shaq donated a whole house to his family. A fan who saw Shaq in a Best Buy offered condolences to the star for the untimely death of Shaq's friend and former teammate Kobe Bryant, as well as Shaq's sister Ayesha, who had recently passed away from cancer. He was treated to a new laptop—the best one in the store.

shaquille oneal, basketball, charity, good news, positive news, charity, engagement ring, kindness, celebrity Giving really is receiving. Photo credit: Canva

Charitable giving looks like a lot of different things, from funding organizations to distributing money through a foundation to handing over a bag of burgers to someone who's hungry. It's just delightful to see wealthy people who not only support official charitable organizations with money and time (Shaq serves as a national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is a member of the national Board of Directors for Communities in Schools in addition to raising and donating millions of dollars to various causes) but who also just help out random people everywhere they go.

Kudos to Shaq's parents for teaching him so well, and kudos to him for taking their lessons to heart.

This article originally appeared four years ago.

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At 96, passionate Lakers fan finally experiences the NBA in person and it was magical

Is someone chopping onions nearby?

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Dreams really do come true

Old age is a blessing. The passage of time means more time with loved ones. Each year on earth presents us with new knowledge, wisdom, and sacred truths. Yes, to grow old is a gift. But do you know what’s even better? Attending your first Lakers game at 96 -years-old after years of being a superfan.

That’s what happened when Megan Jane decided to surprise her nonagenarian grandfather—and lifelong Lakers fan—with tickets for an upcoming game. Despite watching every Lakers game dutifully from his iPad screen, he had never actually gotten to see his beloved Los Angeles “Showtime” Lakers in the flesh, up close and personal. Going to live sporting events are always a blast, no matter who’s on the court. There’s cheering, there’s jeering, there’s camaraderie and overpriced hot dogs. There’s just something about standing in a sea full of fans, all proudly wearing their favorite player’s jersey, and screaming “DEFENSE” at the top of your lungs that reminds a person that they are alive.


stadium, basketball game, sports game, crowdWelcome to where the magic happens. Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

But when the team in front of you happens to be your favorite (and arguably, one of the best of all time)? C’mon. Pure bliss.

On her TikTok, @nagemjane, Jane walks us through the entire surprise, from arriving at the stadium to the Lakers eventual win (thank goodness that happened) in a heartwarming video titled “POV: Your 96-year-old grandpa finally gets to watch an NBA game not on his iPad.” The post has been watched over 155,000 times and garnered 32,000 likes.

The video went so viral, that even the official Lakers account commented, writing, “We’re so happy for him 🫶”

Other commenters were similarly stoked, with @chariseburk saying, “I hope it’s everything he dreamed of. Brought tears to my eyes. 😭 💜”

“Here I am, crying for strangers on the internet again,” replied @nermieez.

“I can tell he is a true Lakers fan and I am sure he really enjoyed the game. I LOVE LA!” added @sportshero22.


“I can tell he is a true Lakers fan" Photo by August Phlieger on Unsplash

But the best comments came from the heart, people who were reminded of their own cherished memories with loves ones.

User @js.slumpz23 said, “...We lost our grandpa back in 2017 and he was a huge Lakers fan. He’s the reason why our entire family roots for the purple and gold. It makes my heart happy to see you do this with your Grandpa.”

“I wanted to take my grandpa to his first 49ers game, in the company suite I work for, and he said he didn’t think he would be able to go,” wrote @jessicajayson. “He passed shortly after. This moment means everything.”

Before even heading into the arena, merrily walking hand-in-hand with Megan, her grandfather gives the camera a few waves then heads to the 17-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Magic Johnson for a photo. Revealed to the public in 2004, the magnificent statue shows #32 in his signature “no-look pass” stance, and resides next to statues of Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem “Cap” Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry “The Logo” West, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, and Kobe Bryant.

Her grandfather is obviously thrilled to be there. Sporting a classic Lakers cap, his eyes can’t even seem to take it all in. Even boring tasks, like waiting in line or going through security, have an essence of glee to them. At Crypto.com Arena, he's a kid in a candy store.

A dream nearly a century in the making

As someone who’s watched decades of NBA games, can you imagine the number of iconic moments this man has witnessed? The Lakers’ dynasty era, for instance, back when the team still played at the Forum with Magic and Kareem in the starting five and “the Godfather of the NBA,” Pat Riley, as head coach—no one, not even Boston, stood a chance.


Lakers jersey, Lakers purple and gold, basketball playerLet's go Lakers! Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

He was there for every second of Kobe Bryant’s legacy, from his 13th pick in the 1996 NBA draft to the five championship rings he won. There was Kobe and Shaq, with their legendary three-peat. Kobe and Pau Gasol. Kobe and Phil Jackson, who he helped win an 11th (!!) championship ring. Megan’s grandpa even had the luck of witnessing NBA history that night: freshly traded former Dallas Mavericks player, Luka Dončić, was making his debut at the legendary arena.

Even if you’re not a basketball fan, sports have this unique ability of bringing people together. This story isn’t just about a lifelong fan watching his team for the first time, it demonstrates the importance of family and the beauty of various generations coming together to help each others achieve their dreams.

“Like no other human activity, sport is about bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and respect,” said Thomas Bach, a former Olympic gold medalist and the current president of the International Olympic Committee during the Lighting of the Olympic Flame Ceremony at the 2016 Games in Rio. “Sport always builds bridges; it never erects walls. In a world shaken by crises, the message that our shared humanity is greater than the forces that divide us is more relevant than ever before.”

The power of the senior “bucket list”

Although bucket lists are often associated with younger generations—college students studying abroad, things to do before you turn thirty, etc.—it’s also important for older folks to take a step back and think about what’s important to them. Bucket lists can be a wonderful tool for seniors, providing a path to rediscovering their passions, enhancing their mental and emotional well-being, and most importantly, creating lasting memories. According to experts at Deerwood, a senior living community in Jacksonville, Florida, “One of the most significant benefits of creating a bucket list in your golden years is the opportunity to create lasting memories. These are not just memories for yourself but also for your loved ones.”

Watch Megan's full video below.


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Shaquille O'Neal quietly paid for a random guy's engagement ring while standing in line

"I'm just trying to make people smile... That's all."

NBA on TNT/Twitter

An unsuspecting guy at a shopping mall Zales got the surprise of his life back in 2021 while trying to pay off part of his engagement ring.

As the young man talked with the clerk at the jewelry store counter about how much he still owed for his ring and when he'd be able to pay it off, an extraordinarily large hand handed the clerk a credit card. Shaquille O'Neal, the 7' 1'' basketball legend known colloquially as "Shaq," overheard their conversation and decided to take care of the bill himself. No big announcement. No fanfare. He just handed over his credit card, shook the stunned customer's hand and patted him on the back, and that was that.

Someone caught the moment on video and shared it, which prompted Shaq's co-hosts on NBA on TNT to ask him about it the next day.

One of the first questions was, "You went to the mall, and went to Zales?!?" Not exactly where one would expect a person with a $400 million net worth to be hanging out on a Monday, but Shaq pointed out that he has a jewelry line at Zales. He went in to get some hoop earrings. Alrighty.

The young man at the checkout counter was so shy, Shaq said, and when he heard him talking about paying for his engagement ring, Shaq asked him how much it was and offered to pay for it.

At first, the guy refused, but Shaq insisted. And apparently, he does these random acts of generosity all the time.

He said he was recently in a furniture store (seriously, do multi-millionaires not shop online?) and saw a mom with an autistic daughter buying furniture. He just took care of their bill, just because.

"I'm into making people happy," he said. "I didn't mean for that to get out because I don't do it for that...I'm just trying to make people smile, that's all."

Shaq's generosity is well-documented, despite his preference to keep much of it under wraps. In a 2015 interview with Graham Bessinger, he explained how his father's charity—despite their family not having a lot of money—influenced him.

After giving the family's bag of hamburgers to a homeless veteran, his father got into the family car and told him, "If you ever make it big time, make sure you help those in need."

Shaq remembered those words and engages in charity in a range of ways, "because of what a man who made $30,000 a year taught me," he said. "And a woman who was a secretary who probably made $20,000 a year—they taught me that."

His giving comes "from the heart," he said. He's not looking for attention or accolades—he just wants to make people happy.

"I'm doing this because this is what I was taught," he said. "I'm doing it because to walk in there and see a family, put a smile on their face for a day, that's just awesome to me."

Shaq on helping others when no one is lookingwww.youtube.com

"That's my thing. I just want to make you smile," he said.

Shaq once asked a restaurant server how much of a tip she wanted, and when she quipped "$4,000," he gave it to her. When a 12-year-old was paralyzed by a stray bullet in a shooting, Shaq donated a whole house to his family. A fan who saw Shaq in a Best Buy offered condolences to the star for the untimely death of Shaq's friend and former teammate Kobe Bryant, as well as Shaq's sister Ayesha, who had recently passed away from cancer. He was treated to a new laptop—the best one in the store.

Many of us like to daydream about what we'd do if we had more money than we know what to do with. And many of us like to picture ourselves being generous with our wealth, helping out random folks who could use some help.

Charitable giving looks like a lot of different things, from funding organizations to distributing money through a foundation to handing over a bag of burgers to someone who's hungry. It's just delightful to see wealthy people who not only support official charitable organizations with money and time (Shaq serves as a national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is a member of the national Board of Directors for Communities in Schools in addition to raising and donating millions of dollars to various causes) but who also just help out random people everywhere they go.

Kudos to Shaq's parents for teaching him so well, and kudos to him for taking their lessons to heart.


This article originally appeared four years ago.

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Half of the head coaches in the NBA are now Black

More great progress in the world of sports.

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Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is one of eight new Black head coaches in the NBA.

It’s been almost 60 years since Bill Russell became the first Black head coach in the NBA. In the years since, there have been 260 regular coaches that have come and gone, and only 1 in 3 have been Black. Most of them haven’t lasted more than three years in their first job—they also haven’t gotten a chance to have another head coaching position. But the times they are a-changin'. Currently, 15 of the 30 head coaches in the NBA are Black. And it’s about time.

Boston’s Ime Udoka, Sacramento’s Mike Brown, Portland’s Chauncey Billups, Dallas’ Jason Kidd, Orlando’s Jamahl Mosley, Washington’s Wes Unseld Jr., New Orleans’ Willie Green and Los Angeles’ Darvin Ham are the eight newest full-time head coaches in the NBA. They join Detroit’s Dwane Casey, Phoenix’s Monty Williams, Cleveland’s J.B. Bickerstaff, Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Tyronn Lue, Houston’s Stephen Silas and Atlanta’s Nate McMillan, who were all head coaches last year.

“It means a lot,” Brown, who will take over as head coach in Sacramento next season after finishing the current season as the assistant coach for Golden State, said.

“When my son, and my oldest son’s about to have his first son, when they turn on the TV and they see people that look like them leading an NBA team on the sidelines, it can be inspiring. For me, carrying the torch and then passing it to the next generation is something that I think about often — not just for my family, but for others out there.”

The last time there were this many Black head coaches in the NBA was the 2012-13 season. There has been no explanation as to why it took almost 10 years to get back to that number, but there are some theories.

“This is not a sports issue,” Nate McMillan, the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks said back in February. “It’s a society issue that the opportunities sometimes certain people, they don’t get the opportunities because of the color of their skin.”

He also gave credit to Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for making sure the organization has not only a Black head coach (Jason Kidd) but other Black people in the room. Aside from Kidd, there are three prominent Black people in the organization: Cynt Marshall (chief executive officer), Nico Harrison (general manager and president of basketball operations) and Michael Finley (assistant general manager and assistant vice-president of basketball operations). Marshall is the first Black female CEO in the history of the NBA.

“I think that’s just what Mark has done is really open his mind to interviewing people and giving them an opportunity where they have the skills to fit into those positions. They’ve done well and I think that’s great,” said McMillan.

According to the site Statista, 73.2% of the players in the NBA are Black, and that’s not including ones who identify as more than one race because it doesn’t do an interracial breakdown. In a league where almost three-quarters of the players are Black, it only makes sense that the head coaching staff be reflective of what you’re seeing on the court. Not just for optics, but for a general kind of understanding that may not exist otherwise.

While Steve Kerr is a great example of an white ally who “gets it,” there are certain experiences that he just won’t understand on anything other than a deep level of empathy. But a coach like McMillian or Ime Udoka, head coach of the Boston Celtics, will understand in a different way. When things happen in Black America, a Black coach is going to be able to do more than empathize—they will be able to sit in that space with their players.

“I don’t understand what took so long, to be honest,” Jaylen Brown, guard for the Celtics said in an AP article.

That’s the real question here. Why did it take so long for half of the league’s coaches to be Black? In February 2019, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Chief People and Inclusion Officer Oris Stuart and President of Social Responsibility and Player Programs Kathy Behrens met with Rick Carlisle, Indiana coach and president of the National Basketball Coaches Association. After that meeting, the NBA Coaches Equality Initiative was created to address the inequity.

“For many years qualified young coaches of color like Ime Udoka, Jamahl Mosley, Willie Green, Wes Unseld Jr., Darvin Ham and Stephen Silas, to name just a few, were not getting consistent opportunities to interview for NBA head coaching positions,” Carlisle said. “The last two years changed everything. The league office has tirelessly made franchises more aware of the qualifications and journeys of these talented young coaches. This increased awareness has led to qualified coaches of all backgrounds having greater opportunity to interview and the numbers speak for themselves.”

Commissioner Silver is aware of the inequity still facing the NBA. Many basketball organizations still don’t have Black people in the front office. Legendary basketball player Michael Jordan is the only Black principal owner of a sport’s franchise, the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets currently have an open coaching spot, and hopefully it'll go to another Black coach.

For Mike Brown, “the dream” is to get to a point where 50% of head coaches being Black isn’t something worth talking about. If the league keeps up its current hiring practices, maybe it could happen.

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