The hottest name in football is back at it again. While he was terrorizing the NFL nearly three decades ago, today he’s back to being the biggest name in the sport. Even though his Colorado Buffaloes are becoming a regular spectacle, Coach Prime Deion Sanders keeps a steady ship. Explaining his choices to maintain that discipline, Sanders went in depth. As a result, Shaquille O’Neal had to lend an ear to Prime’s wise words.
While he himself maintains the Prime persona, there is a reason why he is teaching certain practices to his students. Meanwhile, O’Neal follows a similar approach for his kids as well.
Shaquille O’Neal stands with Prime Tactics
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While his coaching has been stellar, it is the intangibles that separate Sanders from the rest of the lot. But, those intangibles don’t just show up in dressing rooms and speeches. Instead, it is a fundamental part of what is making the program in Colorado such a success.
Due to his old-school style involving “too-low” socks etc., the months-old interview asked about any other rules that Deion implements. “No earrings in uniform, no hoodies in uniform. No sagging in uniform, no one sock up, one sock down. Let your game separate you, not your dress code.”
Explaining the mindset, Prime revealed, “Structure and Discipline. When you go on to the NFL, all the things that I’m teaching them are mandated. I’m preparing them for the next level.”
Further, the 2x Super Bowl champion made a simple comparison. “So, if they come and they matriculate and they go to UPS, you think they can wear any uniform they want? How they want it? If you [were] in Wall Street, [do] you think you can just fall into the office, [and] walk in any way you want? No, it’s structure and rules to this thing.”?
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But, Prime knows the brand value of himself. So, he needs to continue to be the Prime that everyone grew up loving. “You gotta understand parents of the kids that we’re recruiting – they know Prime. They just meeting Coach Prime. That’s what they expect.”?
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While not in their clothing choices, Shaq has taken on a strict approach with his kids as well. So, he clearly found some points to agree with Sanders. Even though he is a loving father to the core, there are rules that the Los Angeles Lakers legend stands by.
Shaquille O’Neal’s approach to parenting
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There are a couple of clear rules that the big man has in place for his kids. Firstly, each of them needs to earn 2 degrees to make it into his will. According to the former Miami Heat star, it is a necessary step to teach them the cost of money and the work that it entails.
Secondly, he has a rather peculiar, if not outright unfair, rule for his daughters. While his sons are allowed to start dating at 18, the daughters need to wait till they’re 24. Even though he agrees the rule is unfair, it doesn’t come from a place of segregating the two. Instead, it comes from his belief that they are much smarter than the boys and wants them to learn to be happy with themselves first.
From that perspective, it does seem like an interesting choice. Nonetheless, strict parenting techniques are something the 7-footer got used to as a child itself. Even though questionable, both Prime and Diesel’s tactics have resulted in exceedingly positive results.
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Finding the balance between toughness and love is an art the two have mastered. As their progeny get ready to take on the world, let’s see how well they fare.