You can’t measure Shaquille O’Neal’s big heart, but we’re one step closer to it. Thanks to the Muhammad Ali Center. For the past decade, the Kentucky-based organization has recognized the icons of social change like its namesake with four seasonal awards. The 11th Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year for 2024 is Shaquille O’Neal. He joins a select few celebrities to receive this honor, like Christina Aguilera who was one of the inaugural honorees. Michael Bolton, Michael J. Fox and Susan Sarandon have received this award as well. What makes Shaq’s honor so special is that he’s the first NBA player to receive this honor.
Very few athletes have been included in these annual awards. O’Neal fits the bill beyond doubt. His magnanimity is well-documented, from buying cars for his rookie teammates to putting an entire store’s purchases on his tab. The Muhammad Ali Center didn’t have to look past his work with the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and the Boys And Girls Club to know he’s deserving of the honor.
The 1th Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards will be held on November 9, along with its annual fundraiser. Along with Shaq, a notable attorney Bryan Stevenson will received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Grammy-winner Nile Rodgers will be honored with the Global Citizenship Award. They also award six core awards for young changemakers.
November would be O’Neal’s busiest period. Along with his broadcast duties at TNT (possibly the goodbye season for Inside the NBA), he will host his annual star-studded fundraiser, The Event at that time. He’d wrap Shaqtober during the Halloween festivities and would be preparing for Shaq-a-Claus during the holidays.
That’s not even including all the random acts of kindness and more O’Neal does in between his crosscountry schedules. He’s already been busy this summer.
Shaq’s had a lively summer
Between following Team USA on the exhibition games, his Summer of Bass tour, and hosting Lucky 13, O’Neal hosted his annual Sports Spectacular Camp. His sports camp not only bring sports pros to give student-athletes a boost, Shaq hooks them up with gift cards, meals, haircuts, and back-to-school supplies.
He hosted ‘Shaq-to-school’ events for Atlanta and Dallas kids through his connections to JCPenney. He then headed to Las Vegas where between a two day EDM event, he announced the construction of a youth facility in Northeast Vegas. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and local councils will build a $16 million facility for the Boys and Girls Club and a CIS Alumni Center.
O’Neal has not yet responded to the honor. He’s busy jetsetting across Europe. And probably thinking of ways to bring smiles everywhere.
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