Shaquille O’Neal, four-time NBA champ is the 11th Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year for 2024.
The honor, bestowed by the Kentucky-based Muhammad Ali Center, recognizes social change icons in the same vein as its legendary namesake with four seasonal awards. The acknowledgment for O’Neal is notable as he becomes the first-ever NBA player to reach that level.
O’Neal’s charitable endeavors include raising millions of dollars for charity, being a national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, of which his relationship dates back to his youth in New Jersey, and being a member of the national Board of Directors for Communities in Schools.
In 2019, he established The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation creates pathways for underserved youth to help them achieve their full potential. The Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children.
Taking account of O’Neal’s good deeds, Essentially Sports highlighted a busy summer for the sports star. When’s not following Team USA on exhibition games during the 2024 Olympics or on the 1’s and 2’s during his Summer of Bass tour O’Neal can be found hosting his annual Sports Spectacular Camp as well as ‘Shaq-to-school’ events for Atlanta and Dallas kids via his connection to JCPenney.
The 11th Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards is set to take place on November 9, along with the Center’s annual fundraiser.
In addition to the Papa John’s Pizza owner and brand ambassador, the event will honor young change-makers with six core awards, notable civil rights attorney and social just activist Bryan Stevenson with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Grammy-winning musician, songwriter and record producer Nile Rodgers with the Global Citizenship Award.