Shaquille O’Neal did not meet his biological father until he was 47-year-old. Big Diesel’s real father, Joseph Toney was not a part of his life for a long time. Toney was a convicted felon who was sent to prison for drug possession and forging checks. Shaq’s mother left his biological father and married his stepfather Phillip Harrison, who left no stone unturned in his upbringing. 

Back in 1994, the four-time NBA champ released a rap song called ‘Biological Didn’t Bother‘. He took a shot at his biological father and dissed him for not performing his parental duties. Shaq could not make peace with the fact that his father did not do enough for his family. 

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O’Neal refrained from meeting or talking to his real father. It took him a long time to make peace with the facts and finally meet his father for the first time in his life.

Shaquille O’Neal meets his biological father when he was 47 years old

Back in 2019, Shaquille O’Neal opened up about the feelings he had after meeting his biological father for the first time on the ‘Dr. Phil Show’. Shaq shared that his mother called him and asked him if he wanted to meet his biological father. O’Neal was a little reluctant at first, but he eventually agreed to meet Toney. 

The 15-time All-Star revealed that his father surprisingly lived above his favorite soul food restaurant in New Jersey. The chef of that restaurant was his father’s best friend and cried every time O’Neal dropped by. Shaq finally had the courage to show up at the restaurant and see his father for the first time. O’Neal said, “I don’t judge, he had some problems when he was young. I don’t judge him, I don’t fault him.” 

The Big Diesel refrained from digging into the past and tried instead to know his father for who he was at that moment. It undoubtedly must have been quite hard for Shaq to accept the reality of his biological father. 

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However, as Shaq tried to know more about his father, they managed to create a more sustainable relationship and leave the past behind. Despite all that went on in his personal life, the Los Angeles Lakers legend and three-time Finals MVP showed great resilience in not letting his issues affect his performance on the court.