I do not believe I could ever fully explain my feelings about the generosity of Shaquille O’Neal OFF the courts, I am truly a lifetime LOYAL fan!! Stories of this caliber is the primary the reason why All Star Grind was created (to promote/support atheletes that are making POSITIVE things happen)….read the story  (Cleveland Cavaliers Examiner) and understand All Star Grind’s movement.

Shaquille O’Neal returned to action for the Cavaliers last night after missing six games with a strained left shoulder. In my eyes the bigger story surrounding Shaq took place off the court.

The media (myself included) is quick to publicize when an athlete does something wrong. Michael Vick’s charity work since his release from prison has not gotten the same attention as the crimes he’s committed. Why is that?

Regardless, Shaquille O’Neal did a wonderful thing recently and it deserves some attention and recognition.

A 5-year old girl named Shaniya Davis was sold into prostitution by her very own mother Antoinette Davis to settle a drug debt in Fayetteville, NC. The child was subsequently raped and murdered. Antoinette Davis reported the child missing and was later charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. The girl’s body was found November 16th beside a rural road.

The man responsible for raping and murdering the child, Mario O’Neill is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye,” Shaquille O’Neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Shaq called the family of the victim and asked what he could do to help. O’Neal reportedly paid for the funeral of Shaniya Davis.

In the midst of a nightmare Shaq was able to slightly lighten the load for members of the Davis family. There is not much you can say to a person to make a situation this horrible better. But for Shaquille O’Neal to extend a hand to a family in mourning says a lot about the man that Shaq is.

ENOUGH SAID!!