Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal praises LA, vows to help wildfire relief efforts
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Former Los Angeles Lakers centre Shaquille O'Neal has been working behind the scenes to help wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles.
PHOTO: USA TODAY SPORTS
LOS ANGELES – Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal said that he feels deeply for those displaced by the massive wildfires
The four-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion, in addition to being one of the most dominant big men of all time, is a formidable philanthropist who recently received a humanitarian award from the Muhammad Ali Centre in Louisville, Kentucky.
“My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted by the fires,” O’Neal told Reuters in an interview.
“It’s just so troubling to watch. I think about not only my people who are close to it but everybody. I feel their pain.”
The death toll from the fires rose by one on Jan 14 to 25, according to the Los Angeles medical examiner’s office. The estimate of structures damaged or destroyed held steady at over 12,000, portending a Herculean rebuilding effort ahead.
Lakers’ first-year head coach JJ Redick was among those who lost their homes in the massive Pacific Palisades blaze and the team were forced to postpone two home games last week due to fires before returning to the court on Jan 13.
O’Neal also said that he was encouraged to see how people and organisations in Los Angeles have come together to support each other during the unprecedented crisis.
Twelve Los Angeles professional sports teams, including the Lakers, on Jan 13 pledged to donate a combined US$8 million (S$10.9 million) to relief efforts. They will help to distribute personal hygiene kits, school supplies, sneakers and more at relief sites around the city as well.
“I’m glad that they’re stepping up,” O’Neal said. “LA has always been a very powerful city.”
The 52-year-old, whose foundation focuses on helping underserved youth find pathways to success, said he is doing his part but does not want to draw attention to himself.
“In my line of work, I like doing 75 per cent of things unseen,” he said.
“We’re already putting some things in motion, but I’m not going to be talking about it because this is stuff that you are supposed to do anyway, especially if you’re fortunate as I am.” REUTERS
