Shaquille O’Neal buys 10 pairs of size 18 shoes for teen in need
ATLANTA, Ga. (WISH) — Shaquille O’Neal is a big man who does big-hearted things for those in need. So it was no surprise when the former basketball star leant a helping hand to an 8th grader’s feet.
Friedman’s shoe store in downtown Atlanta is well known for it’s large-size shoes and customers.
Shaquille O’Neal and his size 22 foot is one of them.
“If they don’t come from Bruce and Friedman’s don’t show them to me,” said Shaquille O’Neal.
Because of his specialty size Shaq could relate when he heard about a 13-year-old wearing a size 18 shoe.
“Mom couldn’t afford shoes,” said O’Neal. “The kid had big feet and I just kind of reminisce back how that used to be me my mom and my dad.”
A meeting between Shaq and 13-year-old Zach Keith was arranged and Zach was left in awe after meeting the basketball great.
“I’m like oh my Gosh like its really him,” said Keith.
Shaq did more than just meet the teen, he offered to buy the young man 10 pairs of shoes.
“This will help a lot,” said Brittany Keith, Zach’s mother. “I wont so much have to worry about buying him dress shoes. He hasn’t had a pair of dress shoes in about four or five years because its been hard trying to find the ones that actually fit.”
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CNN Newsource contributed to this report.