"The only person who can really motivate you is you."
—Shaq
Shaq, as the world knows him, is one of the most dominating professional basketball players in NBA history. Towering at over seven feet, he has shattered records and backboards from the moment he arrived in the big leagues.
The numerous honors he has won include: three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, MVP in each of those finals, led the league in field goal percentage five times, and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. No small feat given the competition in this world-class environment.
There is another accomplishment that is less well-known but extremely important to Shaq. When he was drafted to the pros from Louisiana State University in his junior year, he made a promise that he would return to finish his degree. One might wonder why he would worry about graduating since he had such a lucrative career and did not appear to need a diploma to be more successful in life. But he had made a commitment to his mother, his school and himself. And he likes to keep his promises. It was not easy—he attended 9 summer school sessions and finally reached his goal of graduating in December of 2000 with a BA in General Studies and a minor in Political Science. Unfortunately, the ceremony in Louisiana was scheduled on a game night. In a clear demonstration of what was really important he got permission to miss the game—though at a financial cost to him—and walked through the line to mark this important milestone in his life. A promise kept and statement made that life really is more than a game.
This billboard about Perseverance features Shaquille O'Neal.
YOUR COMMENT
yes I'm doing it for english
Anonymous, November 1, 2024
anyone else doing this for english?
Anonymous, October 14, 2024
never give up
Anonymous, January 26, 2022
Shaq was a good laker
Keeg, October 20, 2021
Shaq is amazing
Kingston, September 3, 2021
love it!!
mya dempsey from 9204 cinder pl kapooka drive, April 23, 2020
love it
moises Ismael Capetillo from 5119 west glen 87105 ABQ NM , April 21, 2020
Wow,amazingly wonderful,oh and thanks Shaq.
Jenna Herritt from Kent state, April 14, 2020
love it
Anonymous, April 7, 2020
I love it!
Anonymous, March 7, 2018
Love this. Makes me feel like I can do anything.
Anonymous, February 26, 2018
This is lit
Anonymous, February 14, 2018
I love it
Anonymous, February 14, 2018
this is the best
mick from freeport, January 25, 2018
great article did a project on him and it was the the best
milly rock from not telling, May 9, 2017
eh
Anonymous, January 23, 2017
Cool
Anonymous, November 14, 2016
i loved
Anonymous, September 23, 2016
i love this
Tiphanie , September 22, 2016
that was good
Anonymous, September 7, 2016
Shaq is super cool and did the right thing
John from Florida, April 26, 2016
#Respect
Janaka from Matara, Sri Lanka, March 7, 2016
he is cool
james from kettering,ohio, January 25, 2016
good good good good
micheal from floomytown, January 25, 2016
wow
James from denver, January 25, 2016
He's sooooo funny
Joseph Ron from Florida, December 7, 2015
The fact I can get it right away with a lot more fun if I can see you soon and I'm still not working out with me on
Anonymous, September 30, 2015
Shaquille was pretty good at all times in a while ago but the fact I can get it right away with the best of the day before I get a follow from you and me both sides to the gym
Nathan from denton nc, September 30, 2015
i believe that if you put education first you will be beter off
Jasmine H. from Port Allen, LA, January 8, 2014
He was a AWESOME basketball player to have Perseverance.
Esther Otten from Saint Michael, Alaska, August 22, 2013
Yes, students need to understand what it means "more than just a game."
Sharon Thomas from Gainesville, FL 32606, August 16, 2013
He was a good center and knew how to deny the ball, even though his career ended with a bump he was still good at basketball!
Austin from TRMMS, March 22, 2013
The best slam dunker I've ever seen!
Austin Ch. from CT, March 20, 2013
He was the best center I have ever seen, alot of changes happen to him when he was near retirement
moises r. from ct, February 4, 2013
He is so awesome!
! from Canada, January 18, 2013
Shaq was persistent and determined.
hi from my, January 10, 2013
I wish the educational part of Shaq's story was shared more with young athletes in this country - an education is something nobody can ever take away from you making it WAY more valuable than any team,deal, or paycheck you will ever get
Sarah from CT, December 25, 2011
It's a great story all around, displaying more than one admirable value, but it actually downplays the value of perseverance. Shaq kept going back every summer for 9 years, that's a long time to have to work at something. That is what perseverance is about: keeping on when you feel like it should be done already.
Dawn B. from Wilkes-Barre, PA, April 13, 2010
A like the fact that he stayed true to his word. Too many of us do not. If you don't have your word, what do you have? Well done Shaq T.S, Smile-Therapy.com
Tim S from Camillus, NY, January 19, 2010
Makes me want to work harder for my degree. He inspires me to to stay in college.
Chantel W. from Williamsport, PA , January 6, 2010
i think that shaq did a good thing
chris S. from australia, September 17, 2009
Shaq says that its not all fun and games things are gonna get hard along the way and its not all going to be funny and fun it might be really difficult and hard so take things seriously.
Poopay M. from Bakersfield, CA, May 21, 2009
I THINK HE DID THE RIGHT THING EVEN THOUGH HE HAD ALL THE MONEY HE NEEDED BUT THE PROMISE HE MADE TO HIS MOM!!
Jose P. from Jefferson City, May 13, 2009
What a reliable and gigantic lesson on achieving promises. It is one thing to make promises and another to keep them. Shaq's achievements have not only emphasized the importance of perseverance but has made a winning case for prioritizing our promises as well as our goals and objectives in life. Thank you Shaq ever so dearly for staying the course. Others like me are inspired by the strength of your mind. Bless you.
George A. from Bamenda, Southern Cameroons, West Africa, December 27, 2008
This really helped in a positive way to help understand many things that I should do in my life.
AnnMarie D from Voorhees, October 20, 2008
It shows that money is not everything. It can buy amusements but it cannot buy happiness. Shaq, you are really inspiring.
chairul aslam from jakarta, indonesia, December 11, 2007
Shaq also displays honor, in keeping his promises, and doing the right thing, in spite of game night. It reminds me of a few promises I need to keep...
Christian B from Richmond, VA, July 26, 2007
Can't stand LSU, but Shaq is the definition of Role Model. Viva la Shaq!
K-Dog from New Orleans, LA, July 11, 2007
that's why we have to make an effort, because we can all be good people
Letty L from Mexico, June 6, 2007
This shows that you should persevere to be something more than you already are.
Anonymous, May 3, 2007
