Shaquille O’Neal had upset a few people, including his reporter friend Nischelle Turner, with his divisive take on Deion Sander’s comments about 15 days ago. Sanders had remarked that he recruits his Quarterbacks from two-parent households and prefers his Defensive linemen to be from single mother households. Shaq had shocked a lot of people by supporting the veteran coach’s argument. Fast forward to today, the Los Angeles Lakers legend has endorsed another bold Deion Sanders take on an issue that might hit him closer to home.

There have been a lot of divisive takes in the sports world in recent times and some have really taken everyone for a spin. There are many who have been diplomatic in such situations. However, Shaq Diesel has displayed little restraint in voicing his honest opinions, even at the risk of offending his fans.

Shaquille O’Neal endorses Deion Sanders’ recent take

Shaquille O’Neal stands up for things that he strongly believes in, which is quite evident in his take on Deion Sanders’ recruitment policies.?A few weeks after dominating media headlines for his ‘single mother’ comments, the two-time Super Bowl Champion recently recounted a story from his early days as a football player, growing up with a working mother and a stepfather.

Sanders mentioned his life’s principles on a recent podcast, which might have hit close to home for Shaq, who grew up under similar circumstances. The Big Diesel readily shared it on his Instagram story. In a conversation on The Pivot podcast, Sanders mentioned why he started depending on himself more than ever.

“Every time I talk about this I almost break down. No one ever came to see me play in high school. My mama was working, and my stepfather never came because he was doing his thing,” said Sanders.

He further added, “…So I had to build up this dude inside of me that ain’t need nobody. So I don’t need your handclaps.. I ain’t need nothing from you.“

Sanders mentioned how he had to tell himself every day that he was enough for himself. Shaq had some loving parents around him, but he realizes the importance of the mental fortitude that shaped the two-time Super Bowl champion. Shaq was different from all his peers, and in the race to fit in, he was losing his identity which his father helped him realize.

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The role of Shaq’s father in his life

Sergeant Phillip Harrison was Shaq’s stepfather, but that fact was a distant memory of their past as they had no love lost between them. Numerous times over the years, Shaq has mentioned his father’s role in him being one of the greatest NBA players. Recently, in an interview with Ahmad Rashad, the Big Aristotle mentioned how his father helped him accept his identity as a giant in the sport.

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The duo were extremely close. In fact, Sgt. Harrison and Shaq’s mom were the only people that the Big Man couldn’t say no to. In the recent documentary Shaq, the aftermath of the passing away of Sgt. Harrison in 2013 was discussed and it was revealed that Shaq broke down like never before after the incident. Indeed, it was a sad moment for the Lakers legend to part away with his biggest supporter.