Shaq explains why he never voted before: ‘I didn’t have time’

Shaq admitted that his mother Lucille O'Neal was 'disappointed' that he never voted until now

Oct 28, 2020

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal shocked friends and fans earlier this month when he admitted that he had voted for the first time ever when casting a ballot for the 2020 presidential election. But now he’s elaborating on that statement after his mother responded to his confession with disappointment.

This week while speaking to USA Today Sports, the 48-year-old shared that his mother, Lucille O’Neal, was “disappointed” after hearing that her son had never made it to the polls to vote.

Shaquille O'Neal Shaq thegrio.com — (Credit: Getty Images)

“I don’t have any excuses, but I didn’t have time. That’s a bad excuse. My mom was disappointed,” confessed O’Neal. “But this year, I made time.”

The NBA Hall of Famer first opened up about officially casting his ballot in early October during an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq.

Today, 69.6 million Americans have already voted early.

That's more than 50% of the total voter turnout in 2016.

We are making history—and we can't stop now. Make your plan to vote early and join the movement: https://t.co/0mKOgXeFxI https://t.co/6118urAb4e
— When We All Vote (@WhenWeAllVote) October 27, 2020

Lucille O’Neal Shaq thegrio.com — Lucille O’Neal (Credit: Facebook)

“I voted for the first time, and it feels good,” he revealed during the podcast, saying that he recently submitted his absentee ballot. “You know I always like being honest on my podcast. I’ve never voted before, America. But, now I’m doing all these voting campaigns, and you know one thing I never like to do is be a hypocrite.”

O’Neal has also taken things a step further by partnering with former First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘When We All Vote’ initiative.

“One in five eligible voters are not registered to vote. It’s become clear to me how paper thin margins of victory in any election can leave lasting impacts on everything around us. I want everyone to know that regardless of who you are, regardless of where you are in the country, regardless of your political ideology, your voice, your opinions, and your vote, matter,” he explained. “So, to ensure everyone’s voice can be heard, we have launched the #MyStartingFive challenge. We are asking everyone to join us by sharing your #MyStartingFive posts, getting registered, and pledging to vote in November.”

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