29 February 2024 , 03:00
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NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has once again shown his big heart by sending 20 pairs of size 23 shoes to a 16-year-old boy, Jor'el Bolden, who dreams of becoming an athlete.
O'Neal, who stands at 7-foot-1 and wears size 22 shoes himself, knows how tough it can be to find large-sized footwear. During his NBA career, he had sponsorships to meet his shoe needs, but for Jor'el and his single mum Tamika, it's not that simple.
Jor'el, who is already 6-foot-5 at just 16, has feet bigger than the size 22 maximum stocked in most shops. Custom-made shoes in larger sizes can cost up to $1,500 (£1,181), and with Jor'el still growing, this could be a costly buy for only a short period.
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Tamika, who runs the household on her own and sometimes has to miss work due to illness, often doesn't have the money for big purchases like custom shoes. But when the Kansas City community started fundraising for Jor'el's shoe fund, Shaquille spotted it and decided to help.
So far, over $12,000 (£9,465) has been raised through a GoFundMe for Jor'el's shoe needs, as he's been struggling with unsuitable footwear. Jor'el also dreams of being a boxer, and Shaquille donated him 20 pairs of his own branded shoes, along with lots of shirts and merchandise, to show his support.
"I'm overwhelmed and excited because [his foot size] is something I don't have control over but as a parent not being able to provide something that your kid needs - it does something to you - so just having people reach out and pull through for us," Tamika expressed her feelings. "It was amazing."
The GoFundMe has raised over $12,000 for Jo'rel (No credit)Jo'rel also showed his gratitude by saying, "Thank you for taking the time and the money that you have earned to give to me when I needed it. Thank you for all of the things that will come from it and that already have."
Tamika shared an update on their GoFundMe page, saying, "I am just in awe of everything right now all the help and support that we are getting. Shoes are coming soon I'm taking with a few companies that are going to make him some."
Shaquille O'Neal's kind act of helping a child isn't new. He once helped Eric Kilburn Jr, a tall young football player from Michigan who couldn't find big enough cleats. Shaq got his sponsors involved. Under Armour and Puma were ready to make custom shoes for Eric after scanning his feet.
Meanwhile, Shaq gave him his own Reebok sneakers to wear. The basketball star even gave Eric some personal advice on being a big athlete.