NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is now community relations director for Georgia's Henry County sheriff's office
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal now has a new role. He's been hired to work as the director of community relations for Georgia's Henry County Sheriff's Office. The former Los Angeles Lakers star taking on the role was confirmed by Eric Jackson, spokesman of the Sheriff's office according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The 48-year-old was offered the position by Sheriff Reginald Scandrett on Thursday, January 21.
According to the site, "As a part of Sheriff Scandrett's strategic plan, bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement is paramount," Jackson said. "Coupled with Dr O'Neal's philanthropy, Scandrett and Shaq have a specific plan to begin uniting the Henry County community." This just adds another feather to Shaq's cap. The decorated basketball superstar has been active after hanging up his sneakers in 2011. He appears on TNT's 'Inside the NBA' and then went on received a doctorate degree from Miami's Barry University for education.
As far as his latest stint with law enforcement goes, Shaq is no stranger. He was sworn in as a reserve officer in the Doral Police Department in Florida in 2015. He also served as a reserve officer in Miami Beach. 2016 saw him sworn in as the deputy in Clayton County. Shaq had expressed interest in running for Sheriff in Henry County in 2020 to the Washington Post in 2017. He later added he would reconsider the plan and wait till 2024. Known for being outspoken, Shaq was also vocal about his thoughts on the death of George Floyd last year.
"There’s an old saying that goes, 'What’s right is right, what’s wrong is wrong,'" Shaq told Jimmy Kimmel in July. "And what happened to George Floyd was all-the-way wrong. I’ve never seen that technique taught. A lot of police officers I talked to would never do that." The man who played for the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers in his two-decade spanning career also had a documentary made on him called 'Shaq Life' which was narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.
TNT's official synopsis of the docu read: "Get to know Shaq as he explores his passions off the court: Spending a busy summer touring the world to establish himself as a DJ; navigating his partnership with a controversial franchise; training with UFC fighters for his first-ever MMA grappling match; raising six children and expanding his legacy. It’s time for fans to meet the man behind the legend — a man with a legendary sense of humor, an enormous heart, and endless determination. Shaquille O’Neal is the ultimate renaissance man."
Quite simply, it was a look at his life after basketball. The docuseries also saw Shaq come in as a board member for Papa John's following their controversy surrounding the African-American people. The pizza franchise paid the ultimate price when people slammed the pizza company and one part of the documentary was all about building back the brand and getting back lost love.
The latest piece of news will surely be another achievement to Shaq who has been a proven leader on the court and off of it.