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

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.” One moment in particular solidified O’Neal’s outlook for life. His dad had just earned some extra money from work and wanted to treat the budding sports legend to a meal at White Castle. They both ordered five double-cheese burgers each for themselves, but on the way home, they came across a man with a sign: “Homeless vet, will work for food.” Without thinking, O’Neal’s father takes three burgers out of his hands and gives them to the veteran. “I asked him, I said, ‘Why’d you give the guy my food?’ He said, ‘Because this gentleman needed them more,’” the basketball legend recalled. “And then he ended it by saying, ‘If you ever become big time—I know you have a lot of dreams, aspirations—make sure you always look out for the little man.’” Living by his father’s message through multimillion-dollar philanthropy and business The multimillionaire has carried that philosophy throughout his three-decade career. Not only did he have a successful 19-season stint in the NBA from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Orlando Magic—winning four championship titles, and three consecutive NBA Finals MVP awards—but he’s also built a business empire and philanthropy portfolio worth many millions of dollars. O’Neal has embodied his father’s philosophy in his far-reaching philanthropic efforts. Last year, he began work on a $24 million Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex: a facility benefiting young communities in Southern Nevad