Close Ad

When Shaq Discovered A Teen Boy's Mom Couldn't Afford Extra-Large Shoes, He Did This
Shaq and Zach Keith at shoe store
Celebrities

When Shaq Discovered A Teen Boy's Mom Couldn't Afford Extra-Large Shoes, He Did This

The boy's mom struggled to buy footwear for her size 18 son, so the basketball legend intervened.

Unusual shoe and clothing sizes can be less accessible and more expensive. A mom who finally found shoes her son with extra large feet could fit into discovered she couldn't afford them.

Growing fast

Zach Keith is growing fast. He’s 13 years old, but already wears a size 18. His mom, Brittany, is a single parent, and money is tight. Shoes are expensive, but he still needs them. So when she needed to buy her son footwear that she couldn't afford, she turned to social media in the hope someone may donate a pair to her son.


And, wow, did it work! Brittany’s social media post happened to be viewed by CBS46 News anchor Sharon Reed, who then reached out to Shaquille O’Neal -- who knows a few things about having extra-large feet.  He immediately decided to help.

Shaq intervenes

“Mom couldn’t afford shoes. The kid had big feet. I just kind of reminisced about how that used to be me, my mom and my dad,” O’Neal said. He’s in the past shared he’ll never forget the generosity shown to him by Bruce Teilhaber, owner of Friedman’s Shoes in Atlanta, a family-owned store known for carrying larger sizes, who gave him countless pairs for free when he couldn’t afford to buy them himself. 

And that’s where Shaq remains a loyal customer to this day.

So when Zach walked into the store with his mom, he was shocked and excited to run into Shaq, who bought him 10 pairs of shoes!

“I’m like, ‘Whoa, he wants to buy me shoes, out of all people?'” Zach said. O’Neal also gave Zach some cash and his personal phone number.

“I’m [gonna] take care of the kid today because somebody did it for me,” O’Neal explained. “I’m doing it for the kid…That should last him for a long time.”

Never forget where you came from

Shaq is known for his random acts of kindness, and there is something glaring in his gestures: Even though he's famous and wealthy, he can still remember the days when he didn't have much. It's easy to criticize celebrities for being out of touch with reality, and some might be, but this basketball legend always stays grounded and finds ways to help out people who don't have his privilege. And we can all take a cue from him on that front.

More inspiring celebrities: 

Kindness Lasts Forever
Wether it's saving someone at sea or giving up your plane seat, kindness makes a lasting impact

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Woman at a restaurant's window and two teen employees.

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Instagram/ @kekessnowballs

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man standing with two daughters, a black purse and a handwritten note (inset)

Grieving Daughter Finds Note In Fossil Purse While Thrifting

Courtesy Anna Harp and Courtesy of Abrielle Clausing (via People.com)

Thrifting can net all sorts of treasures. Shoppers can snatch up everything from vintage clothes to mid-century modern furniture to kitschy knick-knacks, all without breaking the bank.

But for one grieving woman, she found a hidden gem that was truly priceless.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News