There’s a new sheriff in town: Meet ‘Deputy Shaquille O’Neal’ in Florida
Shaq is all about the kids and saving the day and now the NBA icon has added another achievement after becoming an auxiliary deputy with the Broward County Sheriff’s Department.
—Black woman appointed editor of Alabama newspaper that called for Klan to ‘ride again,’ steps down—
As if Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t have enough to do, he’s recently taken on a the “Shaquille Gets Real about Heart Failure” passion project, and now he’s carved out some time to dedicate toward his ‘Deputy Shaq’ duties in Florida. The Basketball Hall of Famer will be working hand-in-hand with the county’s auxiliary department, reports The Daily Mail.
“Basketball legend @SHAQ goes by many nicknames, and now added to that list is Deputy Shaq,” the sheriff’s office announced in a tweet and on Facebook.
“The big man now works as an auxiliary deputy with the #BSO,” the tweet read.
This is not Shaq’s first foray as a Deputy Sheriff either. In Georgia, he was sworn in as an honorary deputy back on 2016 in Clayton County. And Shaq is also a reserve officer in California, Florida and Arizona. He’s also taken the oath as a deputy marshal in Lafayette, Louisiana.
So why would such a legendary star fill he’s time in law enforcement after such a prolific career on the basketball court?
“This is not about politics, this is about bringing people closer together,” he told NBC in 2017.
“You know, when I was coming up, people loved and respected the police, the deputies. And I want to be the one to bring that back, especially in the community I serve.”
Shaq also says he has family members who were in law enforcement so his love for law runs deep.
—Sherri Shepherd on the university admissions scandal: ‘Black people ain’t doing that’—
Deputy Shaq doing good
Last year, Deputy ‘Super’ Shaq consoled children after a head-on collision in Florida.
The Lakers legend and members of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office were on their way to deliver Thanksgiving turkeys as part of his yearly ‘Shaq-a-clause,’ when they witnessed the crash.
He reportedly rushed to the scene of the crash.
Images and video show him consoling two young boys who had been involved in the accident.
A post by the Broward Sheriff’s Office on Facebook read: “While deputies handled the crash scene, Shaq sprang into action and comforted the children who were involved in the wreck.”
After cops handled the situation, Deputy Shaq continued on to hand out turkeys. He has been doing “Shaq-a-clause” for 26 years — handing out toys and food to children and families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Check out our recent interview with Shaq about heart health in the African-American community.
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