“Sometimes the best way to show gratitude for what we’ve been given is to extend a hand to those who once lifted us up.”

On a cold afternoon in Los Angeles, a chill swept through the streets of Skid Row, one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the United States. Amidst the harsh conditions and faces marked by despair, a giant of a man sat in the backseat of a luxury car, his mind lost in thought. Shaquille O’Neal, known to the world as Big Shaq, had seen success and wealth, but nothing had ever prepared him for the gut-wrenching sight that would soon change his life forever.

As the car slowly drove through the streets, Shaq’s eyes caught a glimpse of a woman hunched over on the sidewalk. She was wrapped in a thin, worn-out blanket, and despite the biting cold, her body trembled in the wind. There was something about her that felt painfully familiar, stirring a memory that hit him like a thunderbolt. Shaq’s heart raced as his eyes widened in recognition. The woman on the sidewalk wasn’t just any stranger—she was Mrs. Henderson, his childhood teacher.

Mrs. Henderson had been the one to inspire Shaq, the one who had instilled in him a love for learning and a belief in his potential. She had shaped his life with her patience and unwavering support, making him feel seen when the world often overlooked him. Now, here she was—reduced to a shadow of who she used to be. A woman who had once stood in front of a classroom, teaching and guiding young minds, now sitting in the dirt, abandoned and forgotten.

Shaq’s heart tightened as he processed the scene. How could this happen? How could someone like Mrs. Henderson, someone who had given so much of herself to others, end up in such a desolate place? The weight of the world’s injustices pressed down on him as he fought the urge to turn away. A voice in his head told him it wasn’t his problem, that he should keep driving, return to the comfort of his life. But Shaq couldn’t ignore the voice that urged him to act. He knew that something had to be done.

He turned to his driver, his voice firm, “Stop the car.”

Without hesitation, Shaq opened the door and stepped out onto the cold, grimy street. The curious gazes of passersby didn’t faze him; he had a purpose now. Each step toward Mrs. Henderson felt like an eternity, but Shaq couldn’t turn back. His heart pounded in his chest as he reached her, the woman who had once taught him everything from the ABCs to the lessons of integrity and kindness.

“Mrs. Henderson?” Shaq’s voice cracked with emotion as he spoke her name.

For a moment, Mrs. Henderson didn’t recognize him. Her eyes were hollow, drained of the warmth and wisdom they had once held. She was a mere shell of the teacher he had known. But then, a flicker of recognition flashed in her tired eyes. “Shaq?” she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

The pain in her eyes was more than Shaq could bear. She instinctively tried to hide her worn hands, trying to erase the years of hardship that had left their mark. Her once-dignified appearance was gone, replaced by a woman who had lost everything—her health, her family, and her sense of self-worth. Shaq could see the shame in her eyes, the embarrassment of being recognized in such a vulnerable state.

But Shaq didn’t look away. He saw her. He truly saw her. In that moment, everything shifted.

“Come with me,” Shaq said, his voice gentle but resolute.

Mrs. Henderson hesitated, her body tense, unsure if she could trust anyone again. Life had let her down too many times for her to believe that kindness could exist in this world. But Shaq didn’t wait for her response. He simply extended his hand, offering a silent promise of safety and compassion.

With a deep sigh, Mrs. Henderson took his hand. For the first time in years, someone had offered her a lifeline. Together, they walked to Shaq’s car, and the silence between them spoke volumes. Mrs. Henderson’s frailty was evident in her every step, her body trembling not just from the cold, but from the weight of years of suffering.

Once inside the warmth of the car, Shaq glanced at her, his voice softer now. “What happened, Mrs. Henderson?”

With a long pause, she began to speak. She told him about the illness that had forced her to leave teaching, about the death of her husband, and the betrayal of her own children. Her voice was filled not with anger, but with an exhaustion that seemed to have drained every last ounce of her strength. When she mentioned losing her home, selling everything just to survive, Shaq felt a tightness in his chest. This wasn’t just a sad story—it was a brutal reality that no one should have to face.

As she finished telling her story, Shaq gripped the steering wheel tighter. He couldn’t accept that this was the end for Mrs. Henderson. Not after everything she had given to the world. He couldn’t let her be forgotten.

He drove straight to the best hotel in town, without a second thought. Mrs. Henderson, confused and disoriented, glanced around as they pulled up. She felt out of place, her clothes torn, her feet dirty. She wasn’t used to luxury, and the sight of the polished building only made her feel more like an outsider. But Shaq wasn’t going to let her resist. He opened the car door and extended his hand again. This time, she didn’t hesitate.

Inside the hotel, people couldn’t help but stare. Some whispered, others looked away, but Shaq didn’t care. He walked straight to the front desk and booked the finest room available. A hot bath, a warm meal, and a safe place to sleep were the least she deserved. As they made their way to the room, Mrs. Henderson wrapped her arms around herself, still trying to comprehend what was happening.

When they entered the room, she turned to Shaq, her voice filled with disbelief. “Why are you doing this?”

Shaq smiled gently, his eyes filled with compassion. “Because you never gave up on me. Now it’s my turn.”

Mrs. Henderson’s eyes filled with tears. She wanted to tell Shaq that she didn’t need this, that she was fine on her own. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t true. She needed this more than anything. For the first time in years, she felt dignity.

Shaq wasn’t finished. He didn’t want to help her for just one night—he wanted to give her a future. He made calls to lawyers, doctors, and social workers. He was determined to ensure that Mrs. Henderson had everything she needed to rebuild her life.

The next morning, as sunlight streamed through the hotel window, Mrs. Henderson awoke to the soft comfort of clean sheets and a peaceful room. It wasn’t Skid Row. She had forgotten what it felt like to sleep without fear, to wake up without the crushing weight of hopelessness.

In the weeks that followed, Shaq helped her secure medical care, find a safe place to live, and even arrange financial assistance. But the most valuable gift he gave her wasn’t money or luxury—it was the knowledge that she mattered, that she wasn’t invisible. For the first time in years, Mrs. Henderson believed that she had a purpose again.

Shaq didn’t just change her life—he changed his own too. When Mrs. Henderson returned to teaching, working with underprivileged children, it wasn’t just her soul that came back to life—it was the shared connection between teacher and student, a bond that transcended time and circumstance.

When asked why he had done all of this, Shaq’s answer was simple: “You taught me to be someone. It’s my turn to give back.”

Their reunion wasn’t a coincidence. It was proof that small acts of kindness can change lives, and sometimes, the best way to show gratitude is to extend a hand to those who once lifted us up.

Shaq says Gregg Popovich gave him shoes when he was ‘growing up’ in San Antonio

Coach Pop has always been a giving person.

Shaquille O’Neal shared a story on TNT about how Gregg Popovich gave him shoes when he was a kid in San Antonio.

Getty Images

The more stories that come out about Coach Pop, the more I miss seeing him at the end of the bench on any given night.

It’s been nearly four months since the San Antonio Spurs have seen Gregg Popovich on the floor of the Frost Bank Center. The NBA’s all-time winningest coach (at 1,412 wins over a nearly three-decade career, but who’s counting) has been absent from the sidelines since suffering what the team called a “mild stroke” on November 2, 2024.

And despite hope from Spurs fans that Coach Pop could make some sort of comeback before the end of the 2025 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Saturday, February 22 he “is not expected to return this season, and his NBA future is uncertain.” Charania broke the news only days after the Spurs announced Victor Wembanyama had deep vein thrombosis and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 31, 2023 in San Francisco.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The news on Coach Pop’s absence going forward prompted a short tribute from the TNT Tuesday night crew on Tuesday, February 25 during post game of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks game. Host Adam Lefkoe highlighted what the Spurs coach means to the NBA and USA basketball, then talked about the “dynasty” Popovich created before he handed the baton to Shaquille O’Neal.

Shaq, who spent some his teenage years in San Antonio, said Coach Pop did something for him he never talked about when he was in high school, and at the time, Popovich was an assistant coach with the Spurs.

“Growing up, [I] couldn’t really afford a lot of shoes so my father went to the Spurs organization because they had a guy – Chuck Nevitt – who had size 20 [shoes],” O’Neal said. “My father had a conversation with Coach Popovich. Coach Popovich gave him three pairs of shoes. So I’ve always loved him and respected him for that. And I’d rather see him healthy, and alive and here on Earth rather than coaching so.”

O’Neal than finished his thought by looking at the camera and speaking to Popovich. “Coach we love you, get well soon. We respect you; we appreciate you,” he said before turning to the crew. “He’s already done enough for the game, I’d rather just see him healthy.

“I remember that day in San Antonio you gave me those shoes coach, I appreciate you very much,” O’Neal added.

Another day, another reason to love Popovich. You can see the full segment below: