Shaquille O'Neal explains why he doesn't like the term 'giving back' to the community

Shaquille O'Neal is known for giving back to the community in any way he can. However, O'Neal recently said that he doesn't like the term "giving back" and explained why.

In an event at East Point, Georgia, the LA Lakers legend surprised families and kids for his annual "Shaq-A-Claus" event. O'Neal told Fox5 Atlanta that he's not giving back to the community but doing what his parents used to do when he was growing up.

"A lot of people deem the term 'giving back'," O'Neal said. "I'm just doing what I was taught. My mother and my father didn't have much, and they did this all the time."

Shaquille O'Neal also revealed the origins of his annual "Shaq-A-Claus" event. His foundation has been organizing the event since 1997 in different cities around the United States during the holidays.

"Dr. Lucille O'Neal invented Shaq-a-Claus," O'Neal said. "And when it comes to the children, 15 million children will wake up on Christmas Day and not receive one present. I know how that feels."

He added:

"People call it giving back. I call it doing what you are supposed to do. You got to take care of the babies."

In addition to East Point this year and Atlanta last year, "Shaq-A-Claus" have helped many kids and families around the country. The even has also happened Boston, Compton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Jersey and Orlando.

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Shaquille O'Neal teamed up with Sheriff's Office for Thanksgiving treat at Henry County, Georgia

Shaquille O'Neal at the 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi Games

Before the holidays, Shaquille O'Neal teamed up with the Henry County Sheriff's Office for a Thanksgiving treat for the community. O'Neal told CBS News Atlanta last month that it was difficult for some families at that time of the year due to the bad economy and inflation.

"People are going through a lot, and I just want to make sure I do my part, seen and unseen," O'Neal said.

That wasn't the first time O'Neal did a good deed for Henry County. The four-time champ visited kids and teens at the Shaquille O'Neal Boys & Girls Club of America in the area last July. The building was named after O'Neal because of his $1 million donation last year.

"I am here," O'Neal said. "I do a lot of things in the community and I realized they didn't have a place where they can go. I saw this building was abandoned, and I was like, 'We can use this facility for the Boys & Girls Club.'"

Shaquille O'Neal has always credited the Boys & Girls Club of America for keeping him out of trouble in the streets Newark, New Jersey, where he grew up. O'Neal went on to become one of the most dominant players in the league, winning four championships.