One thing about Shaquille O’Neal he’s going to give back and make his fans feel special.
Recently, the NBA Hall of Famer made a generous gesture towards a teen who doesn’t have average-sized feet. Shaq surprised 14-year-old Eric Kilburn Jr. with a sweet call after learning about his struggles to find the right pair of shoes since he wears a size 23.
Shaq initially caught wind of a story about Eric by USA Today after the young boy’s mom made a public request to help him find the right pair. The Kilburns’ story went viral and resulted in offers from both Puma and Under Armour to make custom shoes. O’Neal also took notice and decided to step in and help.
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Eric Kilburn Jr.’s got a special call last week and answered to hear the sweet voice of the basketball legend. “I was flabbergasted,” Eric said. “My soul left my body for a moment, I was so shocked.” In his phone call to Eric & his family, O’Neal, who wears size 22 shoes, empathized with Eric’s predicament. O’Neal told Eric that when he was the same age, it was also hard for his mom to find shoes that fit.
O’Neal, but gifted to the 14-year-old who has struggled to find shoes
that fit. Courtesy Of Rebecca Kilburn
As sweet as that conversation went, Under Armour Senior Director of Footwear Development Robb Cropp met with the young boy and scanned and measured Eric’s feet on Sunday to whip up some custom shoes for him. Puma also plans to do the same this coming week, with custom-made shoes which will about two months to arrive. So far, per the outlet, Reebok sent over five pairs of size 22 shoes they had originally created for Shaq in the meantime. While it is still believed Eric needs a 23, it was said that the shoes have more toe room than the Nikes he had been wearing.
While speaking to Hometown Life, the mother Rebecca said, “I’ve never seen my son smile so big. It’s tough to get a smile from a teen, but he is over the moon thrilled, and blown away with options for shoes.”
Knowing that Eric is still a growing kid, Rebecca Kilburn said Shaq told Eric Jr. he would like to get him dress shoes from a man he knows that makes them up to size 26. Shaq also told Eric to call if he needs anything and since then, they already had a second call with Eric expressing his appreciation for O’Neal.
home in Goodrich on March 29. 2023. O’Neal reached out to the
family after hearing about their struggle to find Eric size 23 shoes
Courtesy Of Rebecca Kilburn Via Hometown Life
This story is a reminder of how even small acts of kindness can make big differences in people’s lives.
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