Shaquille O’Neal stands out as one of the most iconic basketball players in history, not just for his on-court prowess but for his incredible generosity. Numerous stories over the years underscore Shaq’s habit of paying others’ bills at restaurants and leaving substantial tips for waitstaff.
The Collins Kids, a popular Instagram account featuring a family with nine siblings, is known to be friends with Shaq. Run by Karissa, the young mother of the nine children, the account has garnered over 350k followers. Shaq has maintained communication with the family through their Instagram, and at the beginning of the year, he paid them a surprise visit.
During this initial meeting, Shaq spent quality time with the children, playing games and showering them with love. Karissa shared on Instagram, “He came in and played ‘Watch ya mouth’ with the kids, loved on them, encouraged them, entertained them, took pics with them, gave them gifts, encouraged us as parents, and just showed us so much love.”
Not content with just one visit, a few months later, Shaq surprised the family with dinner at Babe’s Chicken. To the family’s delight, he revealed another remarkable gesture – the next day, he took them to a Mercedes dealership and ordered a custom 15-passenger van for them, scheduled to arrive in mid-July.
A post shared by Karissa Collins (@thecollinskids)
Shaq’s generosity continued during a subsequent dinner at Rainforest Café. Not only did he cover the entire meal for another table of diners, not realizing they were on a mission from out of state, but he also tipped their waitress $1000 after learning her car had broken down.
During this dinner, Shaq discovered that the father of the nine children was having issues with his truck, with the air conditioning and heating malfunctioning. Without hesitation, Shaq took the family to a Ford dealership and purchased a new truck for the father.
The family expressed their immense gratitude for Shaq’s generosity, emphasizing that he not only provided lavish gifts but also spent quality time with them, offering encouragement and love. Shaquille O’Neal’s actions showcase his exceptional generosity, standing out as a wonderful human being who shares his wealth in meaningful ways.