More Sports ES Fancast Apr 14, 2024 | 10:32 AM EDT via Getty SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 10: Shaquille O’Neal attends Shaq’s Fun House Big

Game Weekend at Talking Stick Resort on February 10, 2023 in Scottsdale,

Arizona. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) via Getty SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 10: Shaquille O’Neal attends Shaq’s Fun House Big

Game Weekend at Talking Stick Resort on February 10, 2023 in Scottsdale,

Arizona. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Inspiring stories of athletes overcoming hardship are a dime a dozen, but few strike a deeper chord than those that provide insight into the early life events that molded legends. Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary basketball player, is one source of these tales. He recently revealed a touching anecdote on “The Big Podcast with Shaq.” Shaq, in an instant of self-awareness, lifted the curtain on his childhood and revealed a moving ritual that his father had imposed on him. However, what did O’Neal disclose? According to Shaq, “My dad used to come out, hey, when I come outside and yell your name, I’m only going to yell at one time.” Alongside this straightforward instruction were two guidelines that emphasized his father’s insistence on responsibility and discipline. It served as a reminder of how his father’s advice had shaped both his character and his basketball career throughout his early years. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Shaq’s story became sentimental as he thought back to the guidelines his father had set for him when he was younger. “We had two rules when I come outside,” Shaq continued. “Yeah, your name, you better be somewhere close, and you better be in the house bathwater running before that last street light comes on.” This small command had a significant impact on O’Neal’s upbringing. Shaq was raised with a feeling of duty and responsibility as a result of these regulations being strictly enforced. More than a safety concern, the custom of having the bathwater flowing before the neighborhood’s last street light came on demonstrated his father’s steadfast dedication to seeing to his son’s safety and well-being. O’Neal’s tale is a moving reminder of the importance of parental guidance and the values that are carried down through the generations. Audiences were welcomed into a world where parental knowledge and reassurance addressed childhood worries as Shaq’s story developed. Shaq recalled how his father would carefully check on him as he came inside the house. “Sometimes I used to come in, and he used to look at the light to make sure,” Shaq said. O’Neal’s persistent recall of those childhood rituals is proof of the enduring power of parental love and guidance, even in the face of time. Shaq gave fans an insight into the early years that molded his transformation from a young kid with aspirations to a legendary figure in the basketball world by sharing stories from his upbringing. It serves as a reminder that every great person has a backstory that includes low beginnings and priceless lessons learned from those who came before them. O’Neal’s story is a moving ode to fatherhood’s wisdom and the long-lasting influence that dads’ advice has on their kids’ lives. EssentiallySports is a digital-first sports media house that surfaces the best stories on America's favorite sports celebrities with a fan's perspective to 30+ M average monthly readers. Sports All Boxing Formula One Golf NASCAR NBA NFL ONE Championship Tennis UFC WWE Bodybuilding WNBA EssentiallySports About Us Advertise With Us Authors Editorial Team Behind The Scenes Humans of EssentiallySports Contact Us FAQs Our Brands FanCast On The Ropes Bodybuilding Bros Club Golf Lucky Dog on Track Sports All Boxing Formula One Golf NASCAR NBA NFL ONE Championship Tennis UFC WWE Bodybuilding WNBA Privacy Policy ES Pressroom Ethics Policy Fact-Checking Policy Corrections Policy Cookies Policy GDPR Compliance Terms of Use Editorial Guidelines Ownership and funding Information Full Spectrum Services LLP © 2024 | All Rights Reserved