Shaquille O’Neil always uses his platform to help the less fortunate and this is the case for a young boy and his family in Atlanta. 12-year-old Isaiah Payton was shot while leaving a high school football game between Mays and Carver High on August 17. He ended up paralyzed from the chest down as a result. His friend, 15-year-old Damean Spear, was shot as well. Spear was taken to the hospital and then released.
According to WXIA-TV, Shaq is helping Payton and his family by paying for a handicap-accessible home. This is due to Payton being hospitalized but doctors wouldn’t release him due to his family’s one-bedroom apartment not being equipped to help him recover. Shaq was made aware of the situation and did what had to be done for Payton to be able to get treated at home.
Shaq owns a Papa Johns franchise in Atlanta and partnered with them to provide Payton and his family with furniture, TVs, and rent paid off for a year as well.
“I was watching the story and it’s just sad,” said Shaq. “It could have been any one of us. It could have been my son. It could’ve been your cousin and she was living in a one-bedroom apartment with her two boys so we found her a house in College Park. Nice area. I’m going to get her some Ring cameras on me. We’re going to give her some furniture, TVs and pay her rent off for a year and help her get on her feet.”
In regards to arrests involving the shooting that left Payton paralyzed, a 15-year-old boy is being charged with aggravated assault, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Salute to Shaq on making an amazing difference in Payton and his family’s life after this horrible incident.
Flip the page to check out Shaq with Payton in the hospital and speaking on helping he and family out.
