"Stay out a trouble, listen to your parents, respect your elders, and you can be anything you want to be,'' are the words the former NBA super star Shaquille O’Neal according to, http://www.today.com/news/florida-basketball-cop-brings-shaquille-o-neal-backup-game-local-t68806 left with a group of teenagers a few weeks ago after playing with them and a group of police officers in a pickup game of basketball. This game came about in response to an officer who was called on a noise complaint, reacting by joining in and playing with the kids. As he was leaving the officer told the kids that he would be back and that he would bring back up the next time. The original video that was taken from the dashboard camera in the officer’s car was posted on Facebook, and almost immediately went viral. That is when Shaq saw the video and decided to get involved. He quickly contacted the Gainesville Police Department and flew in to meet the special officer and play with the kids. I have watched several video clips and read many articles about this situation, but the quote that stands out to me personally the very most, is that of the opening statement I shared. As they were finishing up their game of basketball, Shaq brought the kids around him and told them to stay out of trouble, as well as those other powerful things.
I thought about this for a minute. How often do we see videos become viral just because of someone’s great intentions? Maybe those kids would have never heard a statement like that if Shaq hadn’t said it. Shaq would never have been able to be a part and touch the lives of those kids, had the video not been posted. And none of this would have happened if that officer didn’t react to the situation the way he did. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/newsletter/os-gainesville-cop-shaq-mike-bianchi-0128-20160127-column.html quoted Officer Bobby White saying, "I'm really having a hard time understanding why this video has gotten so big; it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. What I did is nothing extraordinary or innovative. It was ordinary, everyday police work that's happening all over the world." When he pulled up to the kids in the street that day, I don’t think it ever crossed his mind that anyone other than those kids and himself would know what he had done. He was just handling the situation the best way he knew how. Most viral videos that we see are hilarious or off the wall strange. I’m not saying that they all are, but I know in my own personal life it seems this way. How incredible would it be if everything that ever went viral had a positive message like this video does? How different do you think our world would be? With the technology that is available to every one of us, communication has become instantaneous. How many video clips or footage from racial issues have we seen recently? We have seen far more negative than we have seen positive. I believe that this video clip, and the action of the officer sets a very important example on many different levels. First, in a day when race is still a daunting issue, the white officer shows that there can be peace between himself and the black kids. Second, I think this video proves that we as a nation need to promote kids being kids. Although technology is so very important, it does effect the amount of time children spend outside being active. This video is a promotion of peace and wellbeing.
I think it also speaks volumes that an important role-model and icon like Shaquille O’Neal would choose to get involved. Celebrities like himself can be and are very influential. In my opinion most of the stars that seem to be getting involved in huge issues like race and/or families stir the pot even more. Their words are much more powerful than just a normal citizens. Shaq didn’t say anything too powerful other than the words of advice he shared with these kids, he simply reacted and continued to make a difference like Officer Bobby White had. Without the technology that we have today, this officer’s act of kindness may have gone unknown. His example of character would have only lived on with those kids that he stopped to play with that afternoon. Now his example has become a legacy as it has effected the lives of people everywhere. I wish we could fill the realm of viral videos with videos such as this one of the Basketball Cop.
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