An All-State guard in high school, James Toney, was offered a basketball scholarship to play at Seton Hall. James battled drug addiction. In 1973, he was jailed for drug possession while his son was still a baby. When he was released, James agreed to sign over his parental visitation rights to his son’s stepfather, Philip A. Harrison, and his mother, Lucille.
At 21, his stepson wrote: “When my mother needed someone 21 years ago, Philip Harrison was the man…My father joined the army when I was two so he could make a better living and also get us “. out of the neighborhood I was born two years before my parents got married. In an interview, she expressed: “The fact that you bring a child into the world does not make you a parent.”
Sergeant (Sergeant) Harrison saw his stepson leaving the house for his first day of school. He was the one who admired her elementary school artwork on the fridge. Sergeant Harrison was the one who disciplined his stepson. He saw his first basketball dunk. Sergeant Harrison eventually moved his family to Wildlflecken, Bavaria, Germany, where he was stationed as a drill instructor. Even after entering his stepson’s life, he had a habit of misbehaving and getting into trouble.
His stepson’s life was difficult, but Sergeant Harrison was finally able to help his stepson reverse course. While living in Germany, he continued to rebel (getting into fights, beating up teachers, stealing cars, etc.) in the hope that he would be sent back to the US. Sergeant Harrison ended that dream by telling his stepson, “Look , son, now it matters.” Whatever you do, I’m not going to let them send you back. And if you don’t listen to me, I’m going to beat you up. Every…only…day.
Sergeant Harrison’s stepson went on to play basketball in college and in the NBA. Here are just a few of the career highlights and awards from his son:
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1993)
- 4x NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002 and 2006)
- 3x Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals (2000-2002)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (2000)
- Olympic Games Gold Medal (Atlanta 1996)
During his playing days, he was given many nicknames: Superman, The Big Cactus, The Diesel, or The Big Shamrock. Now retired from basketball, Shaquille O’Neal or Shaq is best known as one of the most dominant players in NBA history. In addition to his basketball career, Shaquille O’Neal has released four rap albums, the first of which went platinum. He has also appeared in several movies and starred in his own reality shows. Shaquille is currently an analyst on the television show “Inside the NBA.”
As a result of his stepfather’s influence and military background, Shaquille O’Neal has made public service a priority in his life. His service ranges from giving to charities and organizations across the country to working as a reserve police officer in Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix. As for his career in law enforcement, “I’m not a hero. My [step]Dad was my hero growing up.”