Sheriff Shaq? It Could Happen in 2020, Lakers Legend Says
Shaq says he hasn't decided yet where he will run, but he has a plan if he lands the job
By City News Service ••
Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal discusses plans for running for sheriff in 2020 in an interview posted by NBC affiliate WXIA-TV Atlanta.
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal says he may be running for sheriff in 2020.
But the former Laker and current TNT basketball analyst has told NBC affiliate WXIA-TV Atlanta that he hasn't decided yet where he will run; he has homes in Georgia and Florida.
But he has a plan for when he does get the job.
"My style is going to be to surround myself with guys that have been doing it way longer than I've been doing it, surround myself with smarter people," O'Neal told the station, according to WXIA.
Shaquille O'Neal speaks to former teammates, the crowd and his family after his statue in unveiled at Staples Center on Friday, March 24, 2017.
Shaq has talked of his admiration for law enforcement officers. He is an honorary deputy in Georgia's Clayton County and has been a reserve police officer in Los Angeles and several other jurisdictions.
"This is not about politics for me," O'Neal said. "It's something that I always wanted to do. It's just about bringing people closer together. When I was coming up, people loved and respected the police, the deputies, and I want to be the one to bring that back, especially in the community that I serve.
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LOS ANGELES - APRIL 9: Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on April 9, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 103-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
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Shaquille O'Neal poses after the unveiling of a statue of him in front of Staples Center, Friday, March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles.
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Shaquille O'Neal, left, speaks as Kobe Bryant, center, and Phil Jackson listen after the unveiling of a statue of O'Neal in front of Staples Center, Friday, March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles.
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Former Los Angeles Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal speaks after unveiling of his statue at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.
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Shaquille O'Neal, left, and Kobe Bryant laugh as they attend the unveiling of a statue of O'Neal in front of Staples Center, Friday, March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles.
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Fans cheer during unveiling of former Los Angeles Laker player Shaquille O'Neal's statue at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.
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A fan strikes a pose similar to one in the photo of Shaquille O'Neal, at the unveiling of O'Neal's statue in front of Staples Center, Friday, March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles.
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1 Nov 1996: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O''Neal (right) and guard Derek Fisher look on during a game against the Phoenix Suns at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game, 96-82. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn
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Shaquille O'Neal at the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Ca. 6/20/01. (Los Angeles) Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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25 Mar 1998: Center Shaquille O''Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the Sacramento Kings during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers defeated the Kings 114-91. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport
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25 Apr 1997: A fan holds up a sign talking about Shaquille O''Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers during a playoff game against the Portland Trailblazers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game 95-77. Mandatory Credit: Jas
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Shaquille O'Neal at "An Evening with Shaquille O'Neal" at The Palm Downtown in Los Angeles to benefit several charities. Friday, April 12, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
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8 May 2001: Shaquille O''Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a slam dunk during round two of the NBA Western Conference Playoff Game against the Sacramento Kings at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Kings 96-90. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
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LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 7: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers slams home a basket over Greg Ostertag #00 of the Utah Jazz on December 7, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 6: (R) Actor Dustin Hoffman watches the Lakers Shaquille O'Neal during game one of the 2004 NBA Finals between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, June 6, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 5: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (R) speaks to guests at the 2nd Annual "California Gold Star Awards" dinner gala and auction at the Disneyland Hotel on April 5, 2003 in Anaheim, California. The gala honours homeland security and salutes outstanding law enforcement/distinguished citizens of California. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images)
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391596 03: Basketball stars Kobe Bryant presents Shaquille O''Neal an award during the 16th annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular Banquet at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Harry How/Allsport/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101-96. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
