The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shaq becomes a lawman as Holyfield spreads cheer
Shaquille O’Neal has been sworn in as a Clayton County sheriff ’s deputy, Sheriff Victor Hill announced.
“When Shaquille O’ Neal raised his hands to be sworn in by ‘THE CRIME FIGHTER,’ he became the tallest deputy in the history of the Clayton County Sheriff ’s Office!” the comparably diminutive sheriff posted on his official, publicly accessible Facebook page. “Welcome to the crime fighting family Shaq!”
It’s unclear if the post is ceremonial or if O’Neal, who lives in metro Atlanta part time, will actually be escorting prisoners, directing traffic or performing other law enforcement duties. The badge he received does look pretty official, and he has embraced the law enforcement community in the past. Earlier this year, the NBA great turned analyst, actor and celebrity pitchman made a surprise visit to the Gainesville (Fla.) Police Department, joining officers and some neighborhood kids the department had forged a special friendship with in a pickup basketball game.
O’Neal portrayed a police officer in the ensemble comedy “Grown Ups 2” and once told the AJC he’d like to pursue a career in law enforcement. From our interview in 2013:
Would you ever consider getting into politics?
“Law enforcement politics. I’d love to be sheriff one day.”
What would people be surprised to know about you?
“I don’t have a bodyguard.”
One last question: What would this Renaissance man like to do that he’s not yet had a chance to?
“I would like to meet the queen of England. I know people like that are busy. I would just take her hand, say, ‘Hi, queen.’ I would love to sky-dive. I would like to go to the moon for a day. I’m a dreamer.”
For now, it looks like at least one of his dreams has come true.
Evander Holyfield brings holiday cheer to a family in need
Boxing champ Evander Holyfield celebrated Christmas early this year, surprising a local woman and her two daughters with a bounty of toys. Single mom Staci and her girls Makayla ,8,and Jaiden, 4, were nominated as part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 12 Days of Giving effort and got to meet Holyfield Sunday afternoon at the Salvation Army Fuqua Boys & Girls Club in downtown Atlanta.
“This is amazing,” Staci said as her daughters admired their gifts of dolls, skates, art supplies and more. The three relocated here from South Georgia in search of a new start, and lived at the Atlanta Mission before moving into transitional housing. Due to privacy and security concerns, Staci asked that her last name not be published.
“I’m struggling,” Staci said. “I know God has me and has a plan for me. This is really a help.”
A Boys & Girls Clubs of America alum, Holyfield was happy to team up with the organization to provide the gifts.
“It kind of reminds me of how I became who I am,” he said. “The Boys & Girls Club gave me that opportunity. The true point of appreciation is coming back and spreading the word to let people know there is hope.”
Jaiden and Makayla delighted in showing Holyfield their new quilting kit and singing “Frozen” doll. As a little guy, he was big into fire trucks, Big Wheels and Tonka toys.
“When you remember how somebody did something for you, it kind of reminds you to give something back,” he said. “If we kind of live Christmas daily, we’ll make this whole world a better place.”