Shaquille O'Neal expressed solidarity with the tragedy of an American family from Georgia. Twelve-year-old Jada West got into a fight with another girl at a bus stop on March 5. The young girl suffered a cardiac arrest on her way home and passed away three days later.
The sheriffs of Douglas and Henry counties, both in Atlanta, released a statement regarding the situation. In it, the former Laker offered to pay for all of West's funeral services to help the family in any way he could. "As a parent, I empathize with Jada's family.
No parent should have to bury their child. If I can do something to ease that burden, even if just a little, then it is the right thing to do. Our community must provide this family with love, support, and compassion during such a painful time," said the NBA icon.
"This story deeply moved me the moment I saw it in the media," mentioned the four-time NBA champion. The 7'1" athlete is known for his acts of generosity to help various people in need. In 2023, he saw a family buying appliances and approached to ask about their situation.
Immediately after receiving a response, O'Neal told them he would pay for everything they had, which was captured in a v…
"Yesterday I was shopping and saw a woman with her son in the installment payment section trying to figure out how to buy a computer. It cost $1,500, so I told the seller I would pay for it. The woman refused, so I responded that she should take two, the other for her work," he said.
His offer to the West family is another example of the actions taken by one of the most remembered athletes in basketball history.