FBI Special Agent Shaq-Fu? Shaquille O’Neal Named Honorary FBI Agent

Shaquille O’Neal, who has always had a love affair with law enforcement—his stepfather was a drill sergeant, and his uncles were Newark, N.J., cops—was named an honorary special agent during the FBI National Academy’s latest graduation ceremony in Quantico, Va. 

Shaq received the accolade from none other than current FBI Director (and bestiality defender) Kash Patel, who is at least half Shaq’s height, as seen in the X post Patel shared on the Sept. 17 ceremony.

Patel, who genuinely seemed star-struck by O’Neal’s presence, had good reason to be. O’Neal is a four-time NBA champion, 15-time All-Star, and the 2000 league MVP; he was also named to 14 All-NBA teams.

Beyond this most recent accolade, Shaq has long been down with the police. The Athletic says that he has affiliated himself with law enforcement in at least four states: 

He has been sworn in as a reserve officer or deputy with police departments in Florida, Arizona, Georgia and California. He’s also made financial contributions and appearances in support of various police departments across the country.

He was also involved with law enforcement as an active NBA player. Complex reports that he became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police (after attending the police academy). “He was later awarded an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal title in 2005, and became a spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation,” it reports.

For this, O’Neal is a really interesting dude, and his successful post-NBA career reflects his ability to be part of different, and sometimes disparate, communities. Shaq is able to straddle the fine line between the casual racism of most of the country’s sports fans and hip-hop/Black culture, which “Shaq-Fu” has truly repped for more than 30 years. 

He’s a little younger, cooler, and edgier than some of the NBA’s most prominent stars, and his endorsements reflect that—less Air Jordan than Papa John’s (honestly, Shaq seems like he’ll sign with anybody if they cut the check). Yet, Shaq is culturally Black, and always has been, despite his longtime down-with-the-law stance.

One other thing Shaq is is a joker, and he couldn’t resist taking a shot at his co-worker and rival on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” when he spoke at the graduation ceremony. 

“Some of you will go back to your regular jobs, some of you will go to specialized training,” he told the graduating class, according to Complex. “Some of you will go do what I do, be undercover. Well, I was undercover… But I just wanna say I appreciate you guys so much. Congratulations. I am not here for this; I am here for you. … And if you see Charles Barkley, arrest him.”

SEE ALSO:

Kap Says NFL Owners Entered Into A ‘Collusion’ Against Macklemore

Top Black Democrat Rep. Gregory Meeks Wants To Block Bombs To Israel