“I Put Her Through Hell”: Loaning His Millions to Mother, Shaquille O’Neal’s Voice Gets Heavy With Emotions Recalling the Time He Almost Broke Her

Shaquille O’Neal has led a long and healthy life. Along the way, he’s made a lot of people happy. Whether as a city’s franchise star, as a philanthropist, or as a performer, Shaq has done a lot to put smiles on people’s faces. Yet, there is one close relationship where Shaq has struggled. While news of his comments about his ex-wife, Shaunie, and Arnetta keep making rounds, there is another person constantly on Shaq’s mind.

Recently, Shaq confessed to the grim realities he faced early in his life.

Shaquille O’Neal got emotional speaking about his favorite person

On the debut episode of hip-hop star Monica’s new talk show, MoTalk, she spoke with Shaq. But, it was a different kind of Shaq. A raw, vulnerable, candid kind of Shaq. Throughout the episode, O’Neal was at his most honest as he revealed deeply personal epiphanies.

When talking about his want to make people happy, Shaq dove deep into his relationship with his mother. Calling her “my favorite person”, Shaq said how he wishes to keep her perpetually happy. Despite being a caring and loving son, some of his desire comes from a place of guilt as well, he admitted.

In his words, “From 2 to 14, I put her through hell,” Shaq said about his mom. “I was a medium-level juvenile delinquent,” the legendary big man confessed. Clearly, Shaq did a tremendous job getting his act together. Now, when things are so different for him and his family, he recalls another emotional day.

“I was in Best Buy and I saw me and my mother in the past. I saw this lady and her little son. They were in the layaway section.” Shaq went on to explain how he got the duo two laptops when he realized that the mother couldn’t afford one. As his voice grew heavier, Shaq continued, “That was me and my mom.”

After this heartwarming story, Shaq detailed how his first true shopping experience with his mother went.

Diesel recounts an emotional first purchase with his mom

In the episode, Shaq revealed a lot about his struggles as a youth. “It got to the point that we were on layaway so long. When I got drafted in 1992…I said, “Mom, come shopping with me.” …So, I’m bawling amps, double cassette, CD, laser…I’m looking for my mom…She in the back talking to the guy about the layaway program…I was like what are you doing? And she’s like yeah baby you’re gonna put this on layaway. I said, “Mom them days is over, okay?” and I spent like 25,000.”

Read More: 27 Years After Leaving Mother of His First Daughter, Shaquille O’Neal Makes a Deeply Personal Confession on Their Current Relationship

At the end of the day, Shaq seems humbled to have the opportunity to do good for his family and community. As his fame and wealth grew, he made it a mission to help out anyone in need. But of course, he started with family. A truly wonderful human, Shaq continues to inspire us in new ways.

Watch This Story: “Papa, I Miss You”: Shaquille O’Neal’s Daughter Sad On Father’s Day Due To Major Grief