A Fan Waited 20 Years to Meet Shaquille O’Neal—What Shaq Did Left Him in Shock

Teddy Owens was just 12 years old when he watched Shaquille O’Neal point at the camera after winning his first NBA championship. The moment left a deep impression on him, as if O’Neal had made a promise directly to him. Though the crowd’s roar drowned out the words, Teddy was certain the moment was meant for him, and from that day on, he became obsessed with meeting his hero.

Teddy’s journey to meet Shaquille O’Neal became a mission that lasted 20 years. He began with a promise to himself that he would meet O’Neal, no matter what it took. Over the years, he wrote countless letters, took three trips across the country, and spent his childhood collecting memorabilia. It wasn’t just a hobby anymore; it was his life’s mission.

At the start, his obsession seemed like a normal phase. Teddy’s room was filled with posters, cards, and every article about O’Neal he could find. But his family didn’t understand. His father was more practical and often reminded him to focus on the “real world.” Yet Teddy’s dedication only grew stronger. Every spare penny went into expanding his collection, and he practiced basketball daily, trying to emulate his hero’s moves.

Teddy Owens was just 12 years old when he watched Shaquille O’Neal point at the camera after winning his first NBA championship. The moment left a deep impression on him, as if O’Neal had made a promise directly to him. Though the crowd’s roar drowned out the words, Teddy was certain the moment was meant for him, and from that day on, he became obsessed with meeting his hero.

Teddy’s journey to meet Shaquille O’Neal became a mission that lasted 20 years. He began with a promise to himself that he would meet O’Neal, no matter what it took. Over the years, he wrote countless letters, took three trips across the country, and spent his childhood collecting memorabilia. It wasn’t just a hobby anymore; it was his life’s mission.

At the start, his obsession seemed like a normal phase. Teddy’s room was filled with posters, cards, and every article about O’Neal he could find. But his family didn’t understand. His father was more practical and often reminded him to focus on the “real world.” Yet Teddy’s dedication only grew stronger. Every spare penny went into expanding his collection, and he practiced basketball daily, trying to emulate his hero’s moves.

At school, he faced ridicule from his classmates, but none of their teasing could deter him. Teddy was determined to meet O’Neal, to ask him the one question that had haunted him for years: What did you say when you pointed at the camera?

After working odd jobs to save money, Teddy finally had the opportunity to attend an event where he hoped to meet O’Neal—Scotty Pippen was going to make an appearance at a local store, and Teddy jumped at the chance. Though O’Neal himself wouldn’t be there, it was as close as Teddy had come in all his years of pursuit. At the event, he was told about a charity golf tournament where O’Neal would possibly be. Teddy immediately began preparing for the next opportunity.

With a new lead in hand, he traveled to the Bahamas in the hopes of getting close to O’Neal, volunteering at the tournament. But luck was never on his side—though he stood only a few feet away from O’Neal one morning, a family emergency took him away before Teddy could speak to him. Dejected but not deterred, Teddy returned home, making a promise to himself that he would keep trying.

As the years passed, life continued. Teddy went through high school, college, and into adulthood, always with O’Neal in his heart. He continued writing letters, hoping for a response, but never received one. But then, something remarkable happened. Teddy found himself in the position of helping others rather than just focusing on his own dream.

One day, Teddy decided to stop chasing O’Neal and instead build something that would matter. He used his savings to start a free basketball program for kids in his community who couldn’t afford to attend camps or join leagues. Teddy called it “Be Like Shaq,” hoping to teach the same values O’Neal had instilled in him—hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

As the program grew, so did its impact. More kids came to learn the game and develop life skills. It wasn’t just about basketball; it was about teaching these kids to follow their dreams, just like Teddy had. The program garnered local support, and soon, Teddy found himself looking at his creation with pride, realizing that in helping others, he had built something that could make a real difference.

Years later, an unexpected opportunity came knocking. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation reached out to Teddy to showcase his program at their annual youth initiative event in Charlotte, North Carolina. This was it—the chance he had been waiting for. But as he prepared for the event, Teddy realized that his goal had shifted. It wasn’t about meeting O’Neal anymore. The program he had built, the lives he was impacting, was what truly mattered.

At the event, O’Neal did attend, and Teddy’s heart raced as he finally found himself sitting across from the man he had admired for so long. O’Neal listened intently as Teddy explained how “Be Like Shaq” had grown and what it had meant to him and the kids involved. When Teddy finally told O’Neal about his years of pursuit, O’Neal smiled gently.

“You know, I was pointing at Magic Johnson that night,” O’Neal said, revealing the truth. “I said, ‘This won’t be the last one.'”

Teddy felt a moment of shock. All these years, the answer had been so simple, yet it was so different from what he had imagined. But O’Neal’s next words changed everything.

“You know,” O’Neal continued, “the fact that you thought I was talking to you, and it inspired you to build something meaningful—that’s what matters.”

Teddy smiled, realizing that it wasn’t about meeting O’Neal after all. The journey, the struggles, the setbacks—it had all led him here, to a place where he had made a real difference in the lives of kids who needed someone to believe in them.

As they finished their lunch, O’Neal handed Teddy a business card, urging him to keep him updated on the progress of the program. It wasn’t the autograph or handshake Teddy had dreamed of for so many years, but it was something far more valuable. It was the validation that his pursuit, his dedication, and his passion had brought him exactly where he needed to be.

Teddy had spent two decades chasing a moment. But in the end, he realized the real reward wasn’t in meeting his hero—it was in becoming the person who could inspire others just as O’Neal had inspired him. It wasn’t about what O’Neal had promised him that night; it was about the promise Teddy had made to himself to never give up on what mattered most.

The joy wasn’t in the meeting; it was in the journey. And Teddy Owens, after 20 years of persistence, had finally found his peace.

At school, he faced ridicule from his classmates, but none of their teasing could deter him. Teddy was determined to meet O’Neal, to ask him the one question that had haunted him for years: What did you say when you pointed at the camera?

After working odd jobs to save money, Teddy finally had the opportunity to attend an event where he hoped to meet O’Neal—Scotty Pippen was going to make an appearance at a local store, and Teddy jumped at the chance. Though O’Neal himself wouldn’t be there, it was as close as Teddy had come in all his years of pursuit. At the event, he was told about a charity golf tournament where O’Neal would possibly be. Teddy immediately began preparing for the next opportunity.

With a new lead in hand, he traveled to the Bahamas in the hopes of getting close to O’Neal, volunteering at the tournament. But luck was never on his side—though he stood only a few feet away from O’Neal one morning, a family emergency took him away before Teddy could speak to him. Dejected but not deterred, Teddy returned home, making a promise to himself that he would keep trying.

As the years passed, life continued. Teddy went through high school, college, and into adulthood, always with O’Neal in his heart. He continued writing letters, hoping for a response, but never received one. But then, something remarkable happened. Teddy found himself in the position of helping others rather than just focusing on his own dream.

One day, Teddy decided to stop chasing O’Neal and instead build something that would matter. He used his savings to start a free basketball program for kids in his community who couldn’t afford to attend camps or join leagues. Teddy called it “Be Like Shaq,” hoping to teach the same values O’Neal had instilled in him—hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

As the program grew, so did its impact. More kids came to learn the game and develop life skills. It wasn’t just about basketball; it was about teaching these kids to follow their dreams, just like Teddy had. The program garnered local support, and soon, Teddy found himself looking at his creation with pride, realizing that in helping others, he had built something that could make a real difference.

Years later, an unexpected opportunity came knocking. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation reached out to Teddy to showcase his program at their annual youth initiative event in Charlotte, North Carolina. This was it—the chance he had been waiting for. But as he prepared for the event, Teddy realized that his goal had shifted. It wasn’t about meeting O’Neal anymore. The program he had built, the lives he was impacting, was what truly mattered.

At the event, O’Neal did attend, and Teddy’s heart raced as he finally found himself sitting across from the man he had admired for so long. O’Neal listened intently as Teddy explained how “Be Like Shaq” had grown and what it had meant to him and the kids involved. When Teddy finally told O’Neal about his years of pursuit, O’Neal smiled gently.

“You know, I was pointing at Magic Johnson that night,” O’Neal said, revealing the truth. “I said, ‘This won’t be the last one.'”

Teddy felt a moment of shock. All these years, the answer had been so simple, yet it was so different from what he had imagined. But O’Neal’s next words changed everything.

“You know,” O’Neal continued, “the fact that you thought I was talking to you, and it inspired you to build something meaningful—that’s what matters.”

Teddy smiled, realizing that it wasn’t about meeting O’Neal after all. The journey, the struggles, the setbacks—it had all led him here, to a place where he had made a real difference in the lives of kids who needed someone to believe in them.

As they finished their lunch, O’Neal handed Teddy a business card, urging him to keep him updated on the progress of the program. It wasn’t the autograph or handshake Teddy had dreamed of for so many years, but it was something far more valuable. It was the validation that his pursuit, his dedication, and his passion had brought him exactly where he needed to be.

Teddy had spent two decades chasing a moment. But in the end, he realized the real reward wasn’t in meeting his hero—it was in becoming the person who could inspire others just as O’Neal had inspired him. It wasn’t about what O’Neal had promised him that night; it was about the promise Teddy had made to himself to never give up on what mattered most.

The joy wasn’t in the meeting; it was in the journey. And Teddy Owens, after 20 years of persistence, had finally found his peace.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal makes a surprise appearance at Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club

A few days ago, Shaquille O’Neal, along with media personality RO PARRISH and former NBA star Derrick Battie, made a surprise visit to Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club. Earlier this year, they made a financial contribution toward the renovation of the Oak Cliff pool. They stopped by to see the finished product. They hung out with Club kids, spoke with our administrative staff, took a tour of the Club, and Shaq even played a game of “horse” with Club staff.

The renovated pool opened this past summer and has already provided amazing memories for our Club kids. From swim classes to free swim, the kids are not only learning valuable skills but having an enjoyable time! Formal swim lessons have been proven to reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children. This investment will save lives.

“We’re truly excited about what this new pool will do for the Oak Cliff community,” said Battie. “Water safety and physical fitness is so important, especially for children that might not get an opportunity to have this experience anywhere else.”

It was truly a special day for the Club kids in Oak Cliff! Check out our gallery and news story down below!