NBA Legend Shaq quietly paid for a stranger’s engagement ring while standing in line at jewelry store
A man seeking to buy an engagement ring at Zales received the most unexpected surprise of his life from none other than Shaquille O’Neal himself.
When the guy asked the jewelry store employee how much he still had to pay for his engagement ring and when he would be able to pay in the rest of the money, out of nowhere the basketball legend handed his credit card to pay for it.
Shaq was able to hear what they said and decided to pay for the ring without even saying a word.
He just handed over his credit card, shook the man’s hand, and patted him on the back, and that was it.
.@SHAQ saw this young man buying an engagement ring and decided to pay for it 👏
(via @shaqfu_radio) pic.twitter.com/svMeqCT3e4
— ESPN (@espn) April 7, 2021
The moment was captured on video and was eventually shared online, and the next day Shaq’s co-hosts on NBA on TNT decided to bring up the topic.
Shaq said that he entered the store to get some hoop earrings and that is when he saw the struggling young man. He asked him how much he had to pay and offered to do it himself.
At first, the shy young man did not feel comfortable with the offer, but Shaq was insistent and made his day.
He also said that he recently went to a furniture store where he met a mother with an autistic child. And as you may have already guessed, he paid their furniture bill.
“I’m into making people happy,” Shaq 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.”
"I'm just trying to make people smile… That's all."@SHAQ helped a young man out at a local jewelry store by paying for his engagement ring. pic.twitter.com/eK8n0YHGb7
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2021
In an interview with Graham Bessinger from a few years ago, Shaq explained how his father’s charity – even though their family did not have much money – inspired him to be a giving person himself.
After his father gave his family’s hamburgers to a struggling homeless veteran, he told Shaq the following after they entered the car:
“If you ever make it big time, make sure you help those in need.”
And ever since, Shaq has been warming the hearts of strangers. He said he was doing it because,
“of what a man who made $30,000 a year taught me”
And a woman who was a secretary who probably made $20,000 a year—they taught me that.”
He said that he isn’t seeking attention, and just wants to make people happy.
“I’m doing this because this is what I was taught,” Shaq 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.”
“That’s my thing. I just want to make you smile,” he added.
One time, Shaq asked a waitress how much she wanted to be tipped, and when she joked $4,000,” he just gave her that amount.
And when a 12-year-old child was paralyzed by a stray bullet, Shaq gave his family a new house.
Shaq’s deeds of kindness and charity go on and on, and the world can only feel blessed to have people like him.
What are your thoughts on Shaq’s act of kindness towards this young man? Let us know by joining the conversation in the comments and please share this article if you’ve found it of value.
