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Fortune
Fortune
Emma Burleigh

Shaq's father once gave his White Castle burgers to a homeless vet—and it inspired the NBA legend's business and philanthropy empire

Former basketball player Shaquille O'Neal (Credit: Mitchell Layton / Contributor / Getty Images)

One small interaction or passing conversation can stick with entrepreneurs throughout their entire careers. For NBA legend Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, that lesson came from his father—and he’s lived by it throughout his journey spanning sports, business, and philanthropy.

“My father was a drill sergeant, but he always told me to honor people. Treat people with kindness. Treat people that are less fortunate,” O’Neal recently said during the Milken Institute’s conference. “Make sure you can give them things, especially things that you don’t need.”

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