Eric Kilburn Jr. and Shaquille O’Neal (Image Credits: Getty Images and Eric Kilburn/Instagram)
Shaquille O’Neal, the former NBA player, is widely praised for his charity work and his engagement with fans on various occasions. Shaq, also known as DJ Diesel for his music career, generously gifted a custom-sized shoe to a fan named Eric Kilburn Jr. last year. O’Neal’s thoughtful gift was prompted by the boy’s struggle with foot pain due to his unusually large feet, which didn’t fit into any of his shoes.
The NBA community was amazed when it was recently reported that the boy who received shoes from O’Neal now holds two Guinness World Records. According to the Guinness World Records website, Eric won the Record for the largest feet and hands for a living teenager.
“He holds the record for the largest feet on a living teenager, with his feet measuring an impressive 34.30 cm (13.50 inches). His shoes are an American size 23 (the equivalent of a size 22 for the UK).” Via Guinness World Records official website.
In addition to O’Neal, many well-known shoe brands came forward after Eric’s world record news went viral. Famous companies like Under Armour and Puma have created custom shoes for 16-year-olds.
O’Neal Unveils the Heartfelt Story Behind His Thoughtful Gift for Eric
O’Neal, who recently faced criticism from NBA fans for his statement about the Boston Celtics, had an interview with Today last year in which he shared the story behind the gift. The Big Diesel mentioned that he sent custom-sized shoes to Eric because he felt connected to Eric’s story. O’Neal explained that he also has a large shoe size and struggled to find shoes that fit correctly.
After the interview was published, O’Neal commented on a Today show Instagram post, saying, “I got you, big man.” Additionally, Shaq sent a personal message to Eric, writing, “There’s much more coming, big man. Love you,” according to Today.com.
