“I Really Miss Obama” : Shaquille O’Neal Calls Out Lack of Leadership From Donald Trump and the White House

A lot of NBA players, past and present, have been talking about the George Floyd incident. 46-year-old African American Floyd lost his life in an alleged homicide involving the Minneapolis police. While speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal condemned the incident.

O’Neal called out policemen and current president, Donald Trump. “I wish we would have somebody in a leadership position in the White House that would bring people together. I really miss Obama, I think he would’ve handled this situation with class and with honor.” 

After calling the National Guard to tackle the protests, Trump reportedly hid in an underground bunker, drawing further outrage.

Shaquille O’Neal says no police officer he knows would do what happened to Floyd

O’Neal has completed his police training and was sworn in as deputy of the Florida sheriff back in 2017. So as someone who knows how police methods are, he says he was “disgusted” when he saw the video. “I’ve never seen that technique taught. A lot of police officers I talked to would never do that.

“We demand justice. They tried to appease us by arresting one guy, but it was four officers out there. The governor of Minnesota needs to do something. I think the other three guys need to be arrested. I think that’s all the family is looking for.”

He said that justice is all that the Floyd family wants. After Derek Chauvin was charged for second-degree murder, the other three cops who stood and looked on have also been arrested for aiding and abetting the death of an unarmed man.

With protests turning aggressive in the country, many have criticized the violence that has stemmed from it. Looting, burning cars, shops, and other businesses have caused a lot of damage. But Shaq says he understands their frustration. “I’m all for peaceful protesting. I don’t like the opportunists that are riding around the neighborhoods leaving bricks trying to cause riots. Don’t like people breaking into stores. I don’t condone all that, but I am for peaceful protesting and I am for justice.” 

Throughout the whole time he spoke, Shaq was calm and spoke politely, but one can sense how tired he seems of such repetitive incidents in the country.