Shaquille O’Neal has always been known not only for his domain on the basketball court, but also for his great heart and generosity. However, even his most faithful fans were surprised to learn about a moving encounter that took place recently when Shaq returned to his old high school in Newark, New Jersey.
It was a sunny afternoon when Shaquille, now a world celebrity and a successful businessman, decided to visit the halls where his career began. The school administration had invited him to a special event for alumni, and the students were excited, hoping to see the NBA legend.
While Shaq walked through the family halls, the memories of his youth flooded him. He stopped in the gym, smiled at the trophy showcase and greeted the teachers, who still remembered the tall, energetic boy with great dreams. But when folding a corner near the cafeteria, he saw someone whom he had not seen in decades: Mr. Jenkins, the school janitor.
Mr. Jenkins was a fixed figure in school, known for his kind smile and always having a kind word for each student. He had been working there before Shaq was a student, and to his astonishment, he continued to pushing his cart, scrubbing the floors and humming an old melody.
“Sir Jenkins?” Shaq shouted, and his serious voice resonated down the hall.
The old man looked up, opening his eyes a lot when he recognized it. “Shaquille? It’s really you?” He asked, with a smile on his tanned face.
Shaq approached and hugged him, lifting him from the ground while the students and the staff watched him in amazement. “I can’t believe that I am still here, sir,” Shaq said. “He was always there for us. Always working hard.”
Mr. Jenkins laughed between teeth: «Well, someone has to keep these corridors clean. In addition, children keep me young ».
Shaq felt moved by the dedication of the janitor. While they talked, Shaq learned that Mr. Jenkins, now 79 years old, was still working full time because he needed income to keep his family and pay his wife’s medical bills.
The conversation caused a great regret for Shaq. After the incident, he discreetly asked the director more details about the situation of Mr. Jenkins. Upon learning the magnitude of the difficulties of the janitor, Shaq decided to do something special.
The following week, Shaq returned to school, this time with cameras and some friends. The administration brought together everyone in the auditorium for what they thought it would be a motivational talk, but Shaq had other plans. He called Mr. Jenkins on stage and shared with the students how much the janitor had meant for him and many others.
“He taught me the value of hard work and kindness,” Shaq said with the voice full of emotion. “He was always there for us, so now it’s up to us to be there.”
Then, to general astonishment, Shaq gave Mr. Jenkins a check large enough to cover his wife’s medical expenses and allow him to retire comfortably. The room broke out in applause, and Mr. Jenkins, overwhelmed by emotion, dried the tears while hugging Shaq.
But Shaq didn’t stop there. He also ordered that the school dedicate a bank in the patio to Mr. Jenkins, with the registration: “To Mr. Jenkins, who kept these bright corridors and our hearts full of joy.”
The news of the Shaq’s gesture spread rapidly, inspiring people from all over the country. For Shaquille O’Neal, it was simply another way to give back the people who marked their lives. And for Mr. Jenkins, it was a reminder that goodness, however small, can be transmitted from generation to generation and, sometimes, is returned in the most unexpected ways.
