Shaq attacks verse in TV poetry series
LOS ANGELES Shaquille O’Neal, the basketball Hall of Famer, TV analyst, commercial pitchman and onetime rapper, is adding poetry to his lengthy resume as part of a new public TV series screening in the US.
O’Neal brings his best bard to a dramatic reading of a poem in his episode of the 12-part Poetry In America, then discusses it with Elisa New, a Harvard University English professor who hosts the show.
‘‘I’ve always been into poetry,’’ O’Neal said. ‘‘I’ve been writing rhymes all my life.’’
The 46-year-old former All-Star from the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat recites Fast Break, a poem by Edward Hirsch from his 1986 book Wild Gratitude. It describes some very imperfect players who manage to put together a perfect basketball play.
O’Neal said he initially missed the poem’s point.
‘‘The first mistake I made was thinking it was about basketball,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s about friendship, it’s about caring, it’s about emotions.’’
The experience took O’Neal’s thoughts back to high school, where he achieved a 69 per cent mark in English after blowing a test during the state basketball playoffs. He needed a 70 to stay eligible for sports.
The teacher allowed him a retest, and suggested a tutor. ‘‘This guy, his name was McDougal, he was a geek, he saved my academic life,’’ O’Neal recalled.
‘‘I retook the test, got an 80, and we won the state championship. Now I always tell kids I’m a geek.’’ AP