Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to hold back, whether it’s on the court or in expressing himself. And one way the 4x NBA champ chose to do that? Tattoos. Just like their dad, his sons, Shareef and Shaqir, followed suit, both in basketball and in getting inked. But their love for tattoos nearly got their stepdad, Keion, into trouble. According to Keion, the situation left him “scared to death.” So, what exactly went down?

Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-wife, Shaunie, and her husband Keion, recently sat down for an episode of The Groow Zone Podcast. They opened up about their family life, but one tale really stood out. Keion recalled a nerve-wracking moment when he was driving Shareef, Shaqir, and Greg to basketball practice. As he tells it, “Shareef has 10% skin and 90% tattoos,” and Shaqir isn’t far behind.

With the windows down, shirts off, and they cruising through Texas, Keion admitted he felt a wave of anxiety. Why? As per him in Texas, “When people see Black men with tattoos, they see thugs. When they see others with tattoos, they see art.” The tension didn’t stop there.

Since the kids were shirtless and their arms were hanging out the windows, Keion went on to explain how he thought a police officer might pull them over, assuming the worst. “I thought, oh my God, a police officer is going to pull us over and assume there are four drug dealers in this expensive car,” he said in the podcast.

His response? “I’m telling the boys, ‘Put your arm in that window, roll that window up, sit that seat up straight, put a t-shirt on so we can get home.’” Interestingly, while this was a regular sight back in California, where the boys grew up, Keion pointed out how different things are in Texas.

Of course, it’s not uncommon for athletes to sport tattoos—just look at Shaq. The 15x NBA All-Star has nine tattoos of his own, making him a walking example of how it’s part of the culture for hoop stars.

What’s fascinating is that despite his love for ink, Shaq didn’t come from a background that embraced tattoos. Raised by his mother, Lucille O’Neal, and his stepfather, Phillip A. Harrison, a strict drill sergeant, Shaq had to ask for permission before getting his first tattoo. Now, the big man proudly dons his nine pieces of body art, each with a story of its own.

Shaquille O’Neal and his tattoos

It’s no secret that Shaquille O’Neal loves his iconic nickname, “Superman.” The ongoing beef between him and Dwight Howard over the title is enough proof. So, it’s only fitting that Shaq has not one, but two Superman tattoos. On his right shoulder, he sports a flaming tattoo with the words “AGAINST THE LAW,” just above the famous Superman logo. Some believe this ink represents Shaq’s respect for law enforcement, a nod to the discipline he values.

Moving down his right arm, Shaq has a globe held by a hand, with the words “The World Is Mine.” According to reports, this tattoo is a personal motivator, pushing him to achieve his goals. It’s a fitting reminder for someone who dominated the NBA. Just beneath that, he’s got a ripped man with boxing gloves and the word “BIG,” a tribute to his love for combat sports.

On his right forearm, Shaq proudly bears the word “DOG,” which pairs perfectly with his “BIG” tattoo, forming the phrase “Big Dog”—a nickname he often calls himself.

His love for the Superman identity continues with another logo on his left shoulder, labeled “MAN OF STEEL.” Above it, the word “DIESEL” is inked, yet another nod to his DJ persona. And Shaq’s inked tributes don’t stop there. On his chest, he’s got “DIESEL DOC,” while his left wrist holds the names of his daughters.

So tattoos are a part of O’Neal’s family now. While his sons weren’t aware of the possible consequences in another state, Keion Henderson only wanted to make sure that no harm would come his stepsons’ way.