Feared on the court but equally loved off of it, and it’s more than just about his gameplay. Over the years Shaquille O’Neal has won many hearts with his heartfelt gestures and hilarious antics too. This was most recently seen during his encounter with 7’9″ Florida Gators freshman Olivier Rioux. The two had teamed up for a 9-second skit that went viral. And after the hilarious clip, now it’s a heartfelt gesture from Shaq that’s making rounds on the internet.

“… This is actually the coolest part about tonight. Shaq is obviously known as a super good dude, but for him to take the time to learn a few signs to greet buddy’s daughter was amazing! What an incredible human…” read the caption to the post shared by a Facebook user. In the video, Shaq was seen learning how to convey “Can you see me. It’s nice to meet you,” in sign language.

It’s moments like this that show why fans adore the Big Diesel— he sees people, not just crowds.

And if that wasn’t enough, the former Los Angeles Lakers star’s kindness isn’t limited to one-off moments. Just last year, another heartwarming interaction with a young fan melted hearts. In a video posted on Reddit, Shaquille O’Neal was chatting when a child suddenly hugged him from behind.

Security moved the boy away, but Shaq, noticing what happened, immediately called him back. When someone nearby said, “Shaq, please one photo with him. He’s your fan. One photo here,” the big man didn’t hesitate. He posed for a picture, making sure the young fan left with a memory of a lifetime.

It’s stories like these that remind us why the 4x NBA champ is so much more than a basketball legend.

The time when Shaquille O’Neal helped a young fan with only basketball skill he lacked

Imagine being just four years old and already wowing people with your basketball skills. That’s Lil Mike for you—a tiny basketball prodigy who has taken the Internet by storm. But even young superstars need a little help sometimes, and who better to lend a hand than the one and only Shaquille O’Neal?

In August last year, Big Diesel created an unforgettable memory for Mike by helping him achieve his first dunk. During his appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Shaq met the young sensation, who stole the spotlight with his incredible moves. Dribbling with both hands? Check. Behind-the-back and between-the-legs handles? Easy. An impressive shooting form? Absolutely. But there was one thing missing: a dunk.

Before O’Neal’s big entrance, Mike got the chance to show off his skills live on TV, and let’s just say the audience couldn’t take their eyes off him. And when he revealed his love for the Lakers, the show showered him with Lakers goodies—jerseys, Funko Pop figures, water bottles, you name it.

But the surprises didn’t stop there. Shaquille O’Neal, ever the gentle giant, lifted Mike up to the hoop and helped him score his first dunk. And with these continued heartfelt gestures to hilarious antics, Shaq keeps on, never fails to make fans fall for him all over again.