“I don’t celebrate Christmas,” said Shaquille O’Neal once. From LeBron James’ great festive dinners for his family to Stephen Curry’s outing with his wife Ayesha during the holidays, NBA players are known to make the most of their time out of the league. But while the Laker’s veteran himself doesn’t celebrate Christmas, he makes sure that his community doesn’t have to experience the same. This year as well the seven-footer has once again redefined holiday spirit with his unique approach—but this time only with a touch of humor.

In a recent Instagram video, the Hall of Famer was seen hosting a charity event at JCPenney, where he gave away gifts to customers as part of his ongoing commitment to philanthropy. But what caught everyone’s attention was a hilarious moment when Shaq who was standing near a rack of items pretended to “steal” something. As he tried to walk away, the store’s security alarm went off which prompted laughter from onlookers.

“It was great to spread some holiday cheer, surprising shoppers by covering their carts. You all make it worth it. Happy holidays!” read the caption of the video.

This latest charitable endeavor at JCPenney adds to Shaq’s long-standing relationship with the retail giant. The four-time NBA champion has been a strategic partner with the company since 2018, when he launched his exclusive big-and-tall clothing line, “Shaq XLG.” He also became the style ambassador of the brand in March of this year.

Now coming to the seven-footer’s charity endeavors during the holidays, this isn’t his first stint. In 2022 he made headlines for “Shaq-a-Claus” when he held an event at the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County. There he gave toys to 300 members of the Club ranging in age from kindergarten to 12th grade. Moreover, this was not the first time the Lakers veteran did this.

In 2004 he carried on the same Shaq-a-Claus event at the Challengers Boys & Girls Club in South Los Angeles where he gave out gifts like bicycles, Sony Playstations, karaoke machines, sneakers, and more from a truck. “I’m glad to be back here. I miss everybody. These kids are the future,” said O’Neal at that time.

The viral video of Shaq’s playful “theft” adds to his legacy as a lovable giant with a heart of gold. It’s a reminder that giving back doesn’t have to be formal or serious; it can be fun, engaging, and filled with moments of connection. Moreover, this incident comes just days after the seven-footer had made another philanthropic move.

Shaquille O’Neal’s gift to three young men

The Big Aristotle always has been known for his skills on the court but along with that he also has been known to be strict towards his children. During many interviews, the seven-footer has emphasized that his kids must earn their own success. However, he balances this firmness with generosity, rewarding them when they meet his expectations. The same was seen during a recent incident.

The Big Aristotle recently $38,200 Audi A3s to three individuals as a result of a promise that was made back in 2016. As per the Alachua Chronicle, Gainesville Police Department Officer Bobby White received a complaint about kids who were being loud. White when arrived at the scene made the kids understand that it was not wrong to play basketball and even played with them.

The clip of them playing ultimately went viral and Shaq ended up visiting the kids. There he asked them to listen to their parents and do good in school. The kids eventually did that and Shaq when he returned to Gainesville again this year decided to give them the car gift.

“Shaq is an amazing human who has encouraged these young men to listen to their parents and work hard in school. Nobody expected that these young men would get cars as a reward, but that’s just who Shaq is,” said Officer Bobby White.

The former NBA superstar’s actions serve as a reminder of his generous spirit. Whether it’s guiding his kids or supporting others, Shaq proves that success isn’t just about wealth but also about lifting others up and creating memorable moments.