BY: Denver Sean
Published 9 years ago
On January 15th, Gainesville, Florida police officer Bobby White got called to respond to a noise complaint. Apparently, kids were outside making too much noise playing basketball.
When he arrived on the scene, he saw kids innocently shooting hoops at 5pm in the afternoon. Instead of reprimanding them for harmless behavior, he decided to join the game.
After he finished playing, he told the kids he’d be back– only when he came back he had some very special backup with him.
He showed up with none other than Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaq first came to the police station to surprise Officer White after he had seen the viral video of the dashcam footage from the January 15th game. Footage of the game was posted to the department’s Facebook page, ending with the message:
‘So if you call GDP to complain about kids being kids… We are going to let kids be kids. We are going to focus on the ones committing crimes. #HoopsNotCrime’
Shaq, Officer White and several other officers headed for the neighborhood where the kids were playing.
‘I told you I’d bring some backup,’ the officer said, before Shaq hopped out of the car
‘Holy crap, it’s you!’ exclaimed one of the kids.
Shaq then played the kids for a while and promised $100 to whomever could make a free throw.
They all managed to get the ball in on the first try, except for one kid, who made the shot on the second try. Shaq handed out a total of $800. Shaq then brought the kids together for some words of wisdom and a little motivational moment.
‘Here’s the secret that will change your life,’ he told them. ‘Know how much money I made? $700million. I did it by listening to my peers, my mommy and daddy, and focusing on school.’
He told the kids that he grew up ‘just like this’ and that the kids could grow up to be whatever they wanted to be.He had them repeat after him:
‘I will become whatever I want to be; I will be a leader and not a follower; I will respect my peers and my elders and especially my parents.’
We bet the neighbor who called the cops didn’t expect THAT response. Check out the video below.
GPD Officer Bobby White and others play with Shaq against some local kids in Gainesville. Ben Tobias Paris Owens LaJarvis Cook Gainesville Police Department
Posted by Laura Campos on Saturday, January 23, 2016
