Shaquille O’Neal Helps Texas Man Get Second Chance At Becoming Police Officer

December 29, 2025

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal surprised a Texas man chasing his dream of becoming a police officer — stepping in to help him get a second chance after a major setback.

Shaq with Jordan / KHOU 11

Jordan Wilmore, who hopes to become Texas’s tallest police officer, had already completed the police academy but came up just short of passing the state peace officer exam. While the result could have ended his journey, it instead caught the attention of someone who knows a thing or two about perseverance - and being really, really, tall.

Shaquille O’Neal learned about Wilmore’s story through Instagram and decided to show up in person to offer encouragement — and much more. Shaq visited the Kemah Police Department, where he announced that he plans to sponsor Wilmore as he prepares to go back through the academy.

Speaking to a crowd, Shaq shared a personal message about failure and resilience, reminding everyone that setbacks are often part of the path to success. He emphasized that learning from failure is a necessary step forward — something he knows firsthand.

Shaq revealed that he, too, failed his own state exams before eventually becoming a certified police officer. In addition to his legendary basketball career, Shaq is certified in California and Florida and has strong law enforcement ties within his family.

For Wilmore, the moment was both emotional and motivating. He said he felt blessed to meet Shaq and deeply grateful for the support and sponsorship. With renewed confidence, Wilmore now plans to return to the police academy in mid-January to pursue his certification once again.

Shaq also hinted that there’s an extra reward waiting for Wilmore once he officially earns that certification.