The values we live by are worth more when we pass them on.
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It's a great story all around, displaying more than one admirable value, but it actually downplays the value of perseverance. Shaq kept going back every summer for 9 years, that's a long time to have to work at something. That is what perseverance is about: keeping on when you feel like it should be done already.
Posted 5 months ago by Dawn B. from Wilkes-Barre, PA

A like the fact that he stayed true to his word. Too many of us do not. If you don't have your word, what do you have? Well done Shaq T.S, Smile-Therapy.com
Posted 8 months ago by Tim S from Camillus, NY

Makes me want to work harder for my degree. He inspires me to to stay in college.
Posted 8 months ago by Chantel W. from Williamsport, PA

i think that shaq did a good thing
Posted 12 months ago by chris S. from australia

Shaq says that its not all fun and games things are gonna get hard along the way and its not all going to be funny and fun it might be really difficult and hard so take things seriously.
Posted over 1 year ago by Poopay M. from Bakersfield, CA

I THINK HE DID THE RIGHT THING EVEN THOUGH HE HAD ALL THE MONEY HE NEEDED BUT THE PROMISE HE MADE TO HIS MOM!!
Posted over 1 year ago by Jose P. from Jefferson City

What a reliable and gigantic lesson on achieving promises. It is one thing to make promises and another to keep them. Shaq's achievements have not only emphasized the importance of perseverance but has made a winning case for prioritizing our promises as well as our goals and objectives in life. Thank you Shaq ever so dearly for staying the course. Others like me are inspired by the strength of your mind. Bless you.
Posted over 1 year ago by George A. from Bamenda, Southern Cameroons, West Africa

This really helped in a positive way to help understand many things that I should do in my life.
Posted almost 2 years ago by AnnMarie D from Voorhees

It shows that money is not everything. It can buy amusements but it cannot buy happiness. Shaq, you are really inspiring.
Posted over 2 years ago by chairul aslam from jakarta, indonesia

Shaq also displays honor, in keeping his promises, and doing the right thing, in spite of game night. It reminds me of a few promises I need to keep...
Posted about 3 years ago by Christian B from Richmond, VA

Can't stand LSU, but Shaq is the definition of Role Model. Viva la Shaq!
Posted about 3 years ago by K-Dog from New Orleans, LA

that's why we have to make an effort, because we can all be good people
Posted about 3 years ago by Letty L from Mexico

This shows that you should persevere to be something more than you already are.
Posted over 3 years ago by from

Perseverance

About This Billboard

Shaq, as the world knows him, is one of the most dominating professional basketball players in NBA history. Towering at over seven feet, he has shattered records and backboards from the moment he arrived in the big leagues.

The numerous honors he has won include: three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, MVP in each of those finals, led the league in field goal percentage five times, and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. No small feat given the competition in this world-class environment.

There is another accomplishment that is less well-known but extremely important to Shaq. When he was drafted to the pros from Louisiana State University in his junior year, he made a promise that he would return to finish his degree. One might wonder why he would worry about graduating since he had such a lucrative career and did not appear to need a diploma to be more successful in life. But he had made a commitment to his mother, his school and himself. And he likes to keep his promises. It was not easy—he attended 9 summer school sessions and finally reached his goal of graduating in December of 2000 with a BA in General Studies and a minor in Political Science. Unfortunately, the ceremony in Louisiana was scheduled on a game night. In a clear demonstration of what was really important he got permission to miss the game—though at a financial cost to him—and walked through the line to mark this important milestone in his life. A promise kept and statement made that life really is more than a game.