Shaquille O’Neal has the means to provide his mother, Lucille, with anything he wants as a Mother’s Day gift.
When asked what his mom would say would be a memorable Mother’s Day gift, O’Neal could answer in a variety of ways. Something extravagant like a home or a vacation. Maybe a large amount of cash.
For O’Neal, who considers his mother the most influential person in his life, this was a simple gift.
“She would say a cutting board I got years and years ago with the inscription ‘Lou’s Kitchen,’” O’Neal said. “It was one of the first Mother’s Day gifts she ever got. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to get bigger gifts for her.”
A chopping board is more memorable than a car, a trip, or money? O’Neill knew that the kitchen utensils would be special because of the close bond between them. Lucille explained in 2017 Radio Scoop B interview Why this cutting board means so much.
“The reason I love it is because when we get into the kitchen together and I cook fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, that cutting board always comes to mind,” Lucille said. “It was one of my first Mother’s Day gifts.”
Lucille has an imprint on O’Neill’s life in many ways. When O’Neal made rap albums in the ’90s, he’d yell at his mom. One of his current business ventures, Big Chicken Restaurants, offers “Lucille’s Mac N’ Cheese”. Contact with food extends beyond the cutting board.
He said his mother “instilled strong values” which are a big reason for his mindset. O’Neal has made giving back to the community a part of what he does regularly, largely thanks to Lucille. O’Neal focuses much of his philanthropic work on families in need. He remembers his mother struggling financially when he was growing up, so he tries to ease the burden on the other mothers.
Lucille was 18 when she gave birth to O’Neill and faced difficulties as a young mother. This was before she met O’Neill’s stepfather, the late Philip Harrison. She once said it was My baby, he just got out of high school. So I basically grew up with him. Remembering Lucille’s struggles early in life prompted him to want to help mothers in need.
As the eldest of four children, O’Neill learned to be a helper and go without for the sake of his younger siblings.
“I see giving back as just something we’re supposed to do,” O’Neill said. “I was one of those kids, and my family and community helped me when I needed it, so now I’m just trying to do my part.”
O’Neal doesn’t always post what he does. Some of his charitable efforts occur when he is in a store and decides to buy something for a child that his mother might not be able to afford. Lucille doesn’t like her son bragging about what he has or does, so O’Neill is illiterate in some of his endeavors. But when you’re 7-foot-1, an NBA legend and one of the court’s most popular shooters, it’s hard not to notice.
Some of O’Neill’s public efforts include Compaq Courts, which he places in areas he knows to help children. The newest courthouse is at the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club in Henry County in the metro Atlanta area. He also held Courts in partnership with Icy Hot in Las Vegas, Miami (with former teammate Alonzo Mourning) and his hometown of Newark, NJ
“You know, a lot of these kids come from certain backgrounds where Mom and Dad work two jobs,” O’Neill said. “They are often left alone, and that gives them a safe haven, a place to come to.”
Lucille is still the only person who can hold his Hall of Fame status. Six years ago, O’Neal was feuding on social media with center JaVale McGee, who was often featured in his “Shaqtin’ A Fool” segment on TNT NBA programming, which highlights blunders on the court.
With the meat apparently getting personal, Lucille asked her son to cut it – him too.
This week, O’Neal took some heat for his laughter after Lakers star Anthony Davis left Wednesday’s playoff game with a head injury. He said he wasn’t making fun of the injury.
If there’s anyone who can check O’Neal on that – or anything – it’s Lucille.
“She was always my guide,” said O’Neill. “She is still the first person I call when I need advice. She will always be the most important person in my life and the biggest influence on me.”
(Top photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)