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01
At age five his mother carried his birth certificate to bus drivers to prove he was not eight or nine due to his height.
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02
He wants to serve as a police officer after playing; he has been sworn as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and Miami Beach Police Department.
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03
His stepfather Phillip Harrison retired from the U.S. Air Force where he served as a basic-training drill sergeant.
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04
Although he left LSU for the NBA after his junior year, he returned and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a minor in political science in 2000, then earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2005 and a Doctor of Education from Barry University in 2012.
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05
He told his six children they must each earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree to receive any inheritance.
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06
He was sworn in as an officer of the Bedford County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office in August 2005, involved in the Blue Ridge Thunder program to catch online predators.
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07
The West Coast Choppers El Diablo motorcycle built for him by Jesse James is one of the largest custom motorcycles ever, tailored for his huge frame.
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08
His favorite film is The Godfather 1972.
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09
In 2004 his fortune was estimated at $222 million.
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10
He is a cousin of comedian Bill Bellamy and Kristen Bellamy.
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11
He won an Olympic Gold Medal with the U.S. basketball team in 1996.
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12
He signed the then-richest contract in sports history, a seven-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $120 million on July 18, 1996.
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13
He is a fan of the DC Comics character Superman and starred in the film Steel 1997.
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14
His son Shaqir Rashaun O’Neal was born on April 19, 2003 at 1:52 AM in Los Angeles.
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15
His sixth child with wife Shaunie was born on the same day as Kobe Bryant’s second child.
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16
He scored his 10,000th career point on February 10, 1998.
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17
He played 19 years in the NBA for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics.
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18
He spent part of his childhood in West Germany and San Antonio, Texas due to his stepfather’s Army Reserve career.
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19
He was appointed an Honorary Special Deputy U.S. Marshal while serving as national spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation.
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20
He visited the Shaolin Temple in China in 2009 and gave the abbot a pair of his shoes.
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21
In addition to playing for the Lakers, he serves as a Reserve Police Officer for the Los Angeles Port Police.
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22
He is a fan of professional wrestling.
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23
His net worth was estimated at $350 million as of September 2016.
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24
He and teammate Kobe Bryant engaged in a feud over shot attempts in December 2000; O’Neal asked to be traded but GM Mitch Kupchak ignored the request.
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25
He was the starting center for the Miami Heat’s 2006 NBA championship win over the Dallas Mavericks.
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26
His advertisement deals include Reebok, Pepsi, and Nestlé Crunch.
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27
His daughter Me’arah Sanaa O’Neal was born on May 1, 2006 at 4:57 a.m. in Miami, weighing 8 lbs. 1 oz.
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28
He is friends with Kobe Bryant.
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29
He is an avid practitioner of mixed martial arts including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, and Muay Thai.
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30
He is a registered Republican.
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31
His preferred jersey number is 33 after Patrick Ewing; he wore 32 in Orlando, Miami, and Phoenix, 34 in Los Angeles, and 36 in Boston, finally wearing 33 with Cleveland.
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32
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
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33
His daughter Taahirah was born on July 18, 1996 to ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh; with wife Shaunie he has Shareef Jan 11, 2000, Amirah, Shaqir April 19, 2003, and Me’arah May 1, 2006.
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34
He led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive Finals wins from 2000 to 2002, and the Miami Heat to the 2006 title.
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35
In 2007 Forbes estimated his earnings at $32 million.
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36
He was traded from the Lakers to the Heat on July 14, 2004 for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first-round pick.
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37
He wore #36 with the Celtics because #33 Larry Bird, #34 Paul Pierce, and #35 Reggie Lewis were retired.
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38
He served as grand marshal for the IndyCar Bombardier Learjet 550 at Texas Motor Speedway.
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39
He was elected into the 2008 New Jersey Hall of Fame for sports contributions.
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40
He was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion on February 6, 2008.
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41
He signed a two-year, $2.8 million deal with the Boston Celtics.
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42
He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
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43
He was NBA Most Valuable Player in 2000.
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44
He spent the summer recording a new rap CD titled Hot in Here Part Five.
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45
He was traded from Miami to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
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46
He played on the Lakers with Karl Malone, Luke Walton, and Kobe Bryant.
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47
He co-hosted an infomercial for Comcast’s Digital Internet with Ben Stein.
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48
He is friends with Rick Fox.
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49
He supported Joe Biden in the 2020 US Presidential election.
