Shaquille O’Neal’s mom was ‘disappointed’ that he never voted before
Shaquille O’Neal has experienced what people hope to never hear from their parents.
The NBA legend, who earlier this month revealed he never voted in an election before, said his mother was “disappointed” to hear he had gone so long without voting.
“I don’t have any excuses, but I didn’t have time,” the 48-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers star admitted to USA Today. “That’s a bad excuse. My mom was disappointed. [His personal security guard Uncle Jerome Crawford] was disappointed. But this year, I made time.”
In early October, O’Neal cast a ballot for the 2020 presidential election, revealing the news that it was his first time voting during an episode of his podcast.
“I voted for the first time, and it feels good,” the NBA Hall of Famer shared during “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” noting that he recently submitted his absentee ballot. “You know I always like being honest on my podcast. I’ve never voted before, America. But, now I’m doing all these voting campaigns, and you know one thing I never like to do is be a hypocrite.”
His co-hosts were shocked to find out he’d never voted, especially since he considers former President Barack Obama a friend.
The Newark, N.J., native explained that part of the reason why he hadn’t done so was because he “never understood the electoral college system.”
While not revealing whether he voted Donald Trump or Joe Biden, O’Neal recently participated in a virtual rally to support the Democratic nominee.
The flourishing business mogul recently teamed up with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum to launch the #MyStartingFive challenge — to encourage people to nominate five friends on social media and remind them to vote.
The campaign is a part of the voting initiative When We All Vote, which is co-chaired by former First Lady Michelle Obama.
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