"That's pressure" - Shaquille O'Neal shares a powerful lesson he learnt from his father who was a drill sergeant in army

Shaquille O’Neal graced a talk show and shared numerous entertaining and meaningful anecdotes from his life. According to the experiences shared on the show, Shaquille’s father was the biggest influence in his life. He also shared what inspired him to make a career in basketball. The talk show was full of hilarious moments and revealed the jovial side of the NBA's giant star.



Shaquille O’Neal shared a powerful teaching he learned from his father

Shaquille O’Neal appeared on a popular talk show and shared various hilarious and meaningful anecdotes from his personal life and NBA career . When the host asked him about a game against the New York Knicks, which he didn’t play well, he shared the powerful teaching his father gave him about the same.






After losing the game against the Knicks, Shaquille went to meet his father. Shaquille’s father took him out for a car ride and on the way, he asked, “You couldn't handle the pressure?"

Shaquille responded, “Yeah, it was Madison Square Garden. I just -- Patrick Ewing, one of my favorite players. I couldn't handle it."

To which, his father gave him a very powerful line, which stayed with him forever. Father said:

“Pressure is when you don't know where your next meal is coming from."

Shaquille shared that there was a homeless family sitting under the bridge where they drove to, -- a guy, his wife, and two kids.

Pointing to them, Shaquille’s father said, "That's pressure."

He continued, "I'm tired of you spoiled, rich athletes making all this money who don't perform at the level that you're supposed to perform to, blaming it on 'pressure.’”

Shaquille shared that he got the perspective from this incident and never allowed pressure to overpower him.



Shaquille O’Neal shared what inspired his basketball career

In the same talk show, the host Jimmy Fallon further prodded, “Your dad also took you to your first NBA basketball game here in the city, down the street, at Madison Square Garden. What do you remember about that?”

Shaquille recalled that outing and shared:

“So I was always getting into trouble.

So he (Shaquille’s father) proposed the challenge, "If you do well in school, I'll take you to watch your favorite player," who was Dr. J at the time.






So we go to the Garden, and we're up in the 300 section, of course.

And Dr. J goes baseline, throws it down, and the crowd goes crazy.”

And I looked at my father, and I was like, "Sarge, I know what I want to do in life." And he says to me, he says, "If you listen to me, I'll make you one of the most dominant big men to ever play the game." And by watching Dr. J and by him saying that, I just started listening to my father, and here we are today.”

Also Read: How Shaquille O’Neal’s love for luxury car collection and betting once cost him $600K

Shaquille gave a meaningful message about having a strong mentor in life. Making correct choices, adopting healthy habits, and trusting in oneself can help one achieve their dreams. It is what emerges from the conversation Shaquille had with Jimmy Fallon.