When Shaquille O’Neal walks into a room, heads turn — even in a crowd full of CEOs, lawmakers, and business leaders. That was the scene Monday night at the Hershey Lodge, where the 7-foot-1 NBA legend turned entrepreneur and TV personality headlined the Pennsylvania Chamber’s 41st Annual Dinner.
Hundreds of influential guests, including Gov. Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Dave Sunday, gathered for a night of fine dining and inspiration. But when it came time for Shaq to take the stage, the mood shifted from formal to unforgettable — full of laughter, insight, and genuine heart.
Before Shaq even began his Q&A with Chamber CEO Luke Bernstein, the audience learned why the Big Man was being honored for more than just his basketball career. Bernstein told the crowd a story that perfectly captures who Shaq really is.
Earlier this year, O’Neal read about a Pennsylvania high school wrestler named Tamara Humphries, who was struggling to get to her meets. Quietly — and without publicity — Shaq reached out to her family and bought her an SUV so she could continue pursuing her dream.
“Shaq did what Shaq does,” Bernstein said. “Without any fanfare or attention, he stepped in and changed a young athlete’s life.”
That same night, Tamara finally got to meet her hero in person. She joined Bernstein on stage to help introduce Shaq, who was all smiles as the audience applauded.
From there, the conversation turned to Shaq’s personal story — one filled with grit, family values, and humor. He spoke about his father, a disciplined Army drill sergeant who demanded excellence, and his mother, who always believed in him, even after he was cut from his high school basketball team. That foundation, he said, shaped everything that came after.
Shaq also shared how education became a lifelong mission. Despite fame and fortune, he returned to school to earn his bachelor’s, MBA, and even a doctorate in education. And because he never stops learning, he’s now pursuing a master’s in sports psychology.
“I wanna be the first sports psychologist who actually knows what the hell he’s talking about,” he joked, drawing laughter from the audience.
Of course, no Shaq appearance would be complete without a few playful jabs at Charles Barkley. “If Charles was here right now, I’d take a Hershey bar and punch him in the face with it,” Shaq quipped, before adding, “Charles is that big brother I wish I had — the respect is never broken.”
He also reflected on his legendary partnership with Kobe Bryant, recalling their fiery competitiveness and unshakable respect. “Every time I challenged him, he rose to it — 100 out of 100,” Shaq said. “That’s what makes him one of the greatest ever.”
Before closing, Shaq got serious, offering a bit of life advice: “Tell the people in your life that you love them. When they’re gone, they’re gone forever.”
And as always, Shaq left on a humble note. “I don’t care how much money I made,” he said. “I just wanna be remembered as a nice guy — someone who lived with honor and respect.”
In a ballroom full of Pennsylvania’s business elite, Shaq reminded everyone what true greatness looks like — not just in achievements, but in kindness.