In 2016, Shaquille O’Neal, an American sports analyst, entrepreneur, former basketball player, and the second player in league history to win 3 MVP awards in a row met his biological father, Joseph Toney for the first time. Toney was said to have abandoned his son and after which Shaq was raised by Phillip Harrison, a military man, and his stepfather.
Toney and Shaquille’s relationship had suffered for many years but when they finally met, they settled their differences. Here’s all to know about why Joseph left O’Neal, how they reconciled, and every other fact.
Joseph Toney Left Shaquille O’Neal to Serve Jail Term
O’Neal was said to be 6 months old in 1972 when his biological father, Joseph Toney left. According to reports, Toney did not willfully abandon Shaq but it came as a result of his being in prison for forging checks. He stayed there for the next 6 years and by the time he was out, Lucille O’Neal, his mother, and Harrison had left for Germany.
There have been different stories about his effort to meet his son. While others claimed that he did not try to make contact with him, others claimed that he tried and even went to the extent of carrying his son’s birth certificate in a scrapbook that he carried around with him.
Shaquille O’Neal’s father Met Him For The First Time When He Was in His 40s
Toney had stayed many years without contacting his son and according to some sources, it took him between 18 to 21 years. The FIBA Hall of Famer’s father later attended a game where O’Neal was playing for the Orlando Magic in the hope to meet with his son. Nevertheless, Shaq was not ready to meet with him and later declared through his rap song Biological Didn’t Bother that his stepfather, Phillip Harrison is his father.
Although many reports claim that O’Neal was 47 years old when he met his father, the former basketball player met his father in 2016 after he left in 1972, the same year O’Neal was born and after 44 years.
Their meeting came through at Vonda’s Kitchen in Newark, New Jersey – a town where Shaquille was born and in the restaurant he visited frequently whenever he was in the town. Joseph Toney at that time was living just above the restaurant.
10 Interesting Facts About Shaquille O’Neal’s Biological Father You Probably Didn’t Know
1. Joseph Toney played high school basketball
Growing up, Toney was a basketball player in high school and became an All-State guard. He was later offered a basketball scholarship to play at Seton Hall. Since then, nothing much has been heard of his playing career.
2. Shaquille’s mother Lucille was Toney’s high school love
It was while they were in high school that O’Neal’s parents met and started dating. However, it is not clear at what point in their lives they had the Inside the NBA TV program sports analysts.
3. He was allegedly a drug addict
Toney was reportedly a drug addict who later became clean and sober for about 23 years before he met his son.
In addition to his quitting, he reportedly worked at treatment centers after he got sober before he retired.
4. He was accused of wanting to meet his son because of money
When Toney made an effort to meet with his son, it was alleged that he wanted money from the basketball player. According to sources though, some of the people around Toney claimed that it was not the money that he wanted. Also, others purported that he had never asked for any financial assistance from Shaq.
5. Joe worked with a delivery truck to help the homeless
Joseph Toney fixed himself and turned towards giving to the society where he worked at Goodwill. He became a driver of a delivery truck where he would deliver to homeless shelters.
6. Joe had mixed feelings when he had the opportunity to meet his son
Whenever O’Neal came around, Joe would receive calls from different people encouraging him to come around. However, he was too scared to meet the son that he left many years ago as much as he wanted to meet him. Toney managed to keep his distance.
However, O’Neal needed to heal and wanted to meet with his father. So, he went to Newark and asked that his bodyguard find Toney. When it was fruitless, O’Neal was set to leave before he received a call that the man had been tracked.
O’Neal invited him to the Vonda’s where for the first time in the longest time, they hugged, forgave, and headed for a new relationship.
7. Joe had 2 other sons
Apart from Shaquille, Toney reportedly has 2 other sons whose identities have not been revealed. But according to reports, Shaq had contacted his half-brothers.
Apart from being a father of 3, Toney is also a grandfather to 6 of Shaquille’s children.
8. Shaquille O’Neal’s father is 6’1 feet tall
Joseph Toney stands at 6’1 foot height while O’Neal’s mother is a 6’2 feet tall woman. The former player’s father is about 1 foot shorter than Shaquille who stands at a height of 7’1 tall and was already 6’6 when he was 13 years old.
See Also: Laura Govan – Relationship With Gilbert Arenas, Shaquille O’Neal, Other Facts
9. How much is his Net Worth?
Toney’s net worth is not known but his son O’Neal has an estimated net worth of $400 million. He amassed his wealth majorly from his career as one of the greatest basketball players ever. His NBA salary alone is reportedly $295 million.
He also made wealth from endorsements that are reportedly about $200 million. In addition, he earns from his career as a sports analyst as well as other business ventures.
10. Where is Joseph Toney now?
Toney and Shaq have a good relationship. However, it is not known where the father of the celebrity is or what he has been up to.
Complete profile of Joseph Toney
| Joseph Toney | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Toney |
| Date of Birth | 1949 |
| Age | 73 year-old |
| Zodiac Sign | NA |
| Birth place | NA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Profession | NA |
| Father | NA |
| Mother | NA |
| Siblings | NA |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse/Partner | NA |
| Girlfriend | Lucille O'Neal |
| Kids | Shaquille O'Neal |
| Estimated Net Worth: | NA |
| Source of net worth | NA |
| Height | 6feet1inches |
| Weight | NA |
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