Shaq Bought 2,000 Pairs of Shoes From a Man From His Past–Here’s Why

Shaquille O’Neal never forgot the man who kept him laced up when no one else could.

In 1989, growing up on a San Antonio army base with a military stepfather, 17-year-old Shaq stood at 7 feet 1 and weighed nearly 300 pounds — and wore a size 19 (and eventually a size 22) shoe size. Needless to say, finding dress shoes was nearly impossible.

If The Show Fits

As the towering teen graduated from Robert G. Cole High School to attend Louisiana State University, he owned just one pair of shoes. When he needed shoes for prom, Bruce Teilhaber of Friedman’s Shoes in Atlanta, gave Shaq a free pair. According to the story, Shaq’s stepfather had a friend in the military who connected them with Teilhaber, who was known for carrying hard-to-find large shoe sizes and often helped athletes and celebrities.

The story came to light during a segment on “Shaq Life,” aired on TNT’s YouTube channel on April 9, 2020, and recently resurfaced on social media. In the segment, the NBA legend-turned-sports analyst took viewers behind the scenes to reveal the logistical challenge of outfitting a man of his size — and to shine a spotlight on the craftsman who made it possible.

O’Neal, who struggled to find shoes as a teen due to his large size, has made it his mission to help others in the same position. When a teen named Zach Keith reached out asking for help, Shaq gifted him 10 pairs of shoes — sourced from Teilhaber.

Never forgetting Teilhaber’s generosity, over the decades Shaq has repaid him by purchasing over 2,000 pairs of shoes from him.

“One of the best things that ever happened to me and my family was meeting Shaquille O’Neal,” Teilhaber said. “Because if you’re in business and you know him, you’re going to be okay.”

Years later Shaq made it a mission to keep his own sneaker brand affordable.

O’Neal made a game-changing move in the sneaker world after a mother approached him and said she couldn’t afford his pricey Reebok shoes for her son. The comment struck a chord — especially considering Shaq’s own upbringing and his mother’s financial struggles. Determined to make a difference, he launched his own line of affordable sneakers. Teaming up with Walmart, in 1998 he created stylish, budget-friendly shoes for under $50 that families across income levels could afford. The result? Over 400 million pairs sold — proving that impact can be just as powerful as profit.