Lakers: Shaq and Police Officers Surprise Florida Kids With Awesome Pick Up Game
Former Lakers Center, Shaquille O’Neal, teamed up with Florida police officers to give some kids the surprise of a lifetime
On January 15, 2016, in Gainsville Florida, a dash cam captured video of Officer Bobby White, responding to a noise complaint of kids playing basketball in the street and the outcome was glorious.
Officer White approached the kids and found out they were just playing basketball and having fun. There is now law against that, so instead of reprimanding them, he proceeded to play hoops with the kids and had so much fun that he promised to come back the next day.
“You guys play every day?” he asked, “I might bring some backup, you guys going to be out here tomorrow? I’m going to try to bring out some back-up, and we’ll play a little game here tomorrow.” The kids agreed with the officer when he asked them to have fun but to try not be too loud.
Wait, it gets better!
Officer White was about to be surprised; while at a debriefing to talk about getting some of his fellow officers to come out to play basketball, someone walked through the door, someone huge. You got it; it was none other than Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal!
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
After the Lakers vs. Bulls game on Thursday night, Shaq’s TNT Basketball co-hosts discussed the event with him, they were singing his praises.
"Shout out to Chief Donald De Lucca of the Doral County Police Department. I was actually in Miami at the Doral office, and he made me watch a video, and like you said at the end of the video, and the guy said — we are going to be out here tomorrow — and go shoot some hoops with them."
Before Shaq could go out into the community, Cheif De Lucca had to swear in O’Neal to be a reserve police officer in his department. According to the Associated Press through ESPN, O’Neal has previously served as a reserve police officer for Miami Beach and Golden Beach in Florida, in Tempe, Arizona, and the Port of Los Angeles.
As you can imagine, the kids were shocked when Shaq stepped out of an enormous black SUV. They all played basketball and had a blast joking around with Shaq. They were very loud, but this time, no one complained.
Shaq had some very thoughtful words for these young kids, urging them to stay out of trouble and follow what their parents say. He made them repeat after him, “I will, become, whatever, I want to be. I will, be, a leader, and not a follower. I will respect, my peers, my elders, and especially my parents.” He ended the meeting with “Okay, I love you guys.”
Next: Conflicting Reports About D'Angelo Russell's Availability
Playing with the kids and supporting his fellow police brethren was such a sweet gesture all around, and it all started with Officer White! It also goes to show what a big heart Shaq has for the community, making his newly announced statue that much more deserved.