NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal makes surprise Twin Cities appearance
Shaq shares a message with Twin Cities kids
Four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal made a surprise visit to the Twin Cities, appearing at Best Buy headquarters in Richfield.
RICHFIELD, Minn. (FOX 9) - Four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal made a surprise visit to the Twin Cities on Monday for an appearance at Best Buy headquarters in Richfield.
The Big Diesel in Minnesota
Why was he here?:
Shaq appeared as part of his sponsorship with printer company Epson to meet with kids at the Boys and Girls Club and give away some school supplies.
Along with speaking with the children and posing for photos, the NBA legend also awarded some scholarships during the event.
What they're saying:
Speaking with FOX 9, Shaq shared his message for the children.
"I just like informing them that I was once them," said Shaq. "A lot of these kids look at us, and they go ‘ahh’ [makes an astonished look] and I just have to remind them it started here. These are the things I used to say, and you have to follow certain steps."
"I'm a really big advocate for the Boys and Girls Club because it was where the character Shaquille O'Neal was created," he added.
Local perspective:
The appearance comes two days after Best Buy marked the 60th anniversary of its founding. The electronics retail giant was founded by Richard Schulze and James Wheeler as a stereo shop in St. Paul in 1966, originally known as Sound of Music.
The Source: This story uses an interview with Shaquille O'Neal and information about his Epson-sponsored appearance at Best Buy headquarters in Richfield.