Who is Joseph Toney, and what does he have to do with Shaquille O’Neal? Toney is Shaquille’s biological father, who has an interesting yet complicated history. Even though Joseph Toney was absent in Shaq’s childhood, he is significant since his name is the beginning of the history of the basketball icon. They may not have had the most normalized relationship, but this too is part of Shaq’s powerful narrative. Now, let us go deeper into the life of Joseph Toney and his role in the life of one of the most celebrated players in the history of basketball.
Birth, Parents, and Education
Joseph Toney was born in 1949. There’s not much information on his place of birth, parents and childhood because this information is not widely available. All that is clear is that as a child, he fell in love with the game of basketball. During high school, Toney achieved the rank of All-State Guard. Due to his abilities on the basketball court, he received a scholarship to Seton Hall University.
Sadly, he did not complete his education because he spent a great deal of time in jail due to his drug habits, which led to legal issues and imprisonment.
Relationship with Lucille O’Neal and Absence in Shaquille’s Early Life
Joseph Toney and teenager Lucille O’Neal began their romance in Newark, New Jersey, during Joseph’s high school years. When Joseph was still attending, Joseph and Lucille started dating and shared a relationship that lasted for more than three years, after which Lucille graduated from high school and soon after got pregnant. Joseph was dealing with legal issues that included drug possession, and his girlfriend, Lucille, was only 17 years old when Shaquille O’Neal was born in 1972.
Because of Joseph’s absence due to being imprisoned, Lucille did her best and raised Shaquille on her own until Phillip Harrison, a U.S. Army sergeant whom Lucille married later became a stepfather to Shaquille. There has been no single official documentation that pertains to Joseph Toney and Lucille O’Neal ever being married. Joseph Toney’s absence during Shaquille’s early years meant that he did not play a role in his son’s upbringing or early life.
Shaquille O’Neal: Son
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey. His parents were Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney. Shaq’s father, Joseph Toney, had issues with drugs and was serving a prison sentence while Shaquille was an infant. After completing his prison term, Joe chose to forfeit his parental obligations, resulting in Shaquille being brought up by his stepfather, Phillip Harrison, who served as an army sergeant for the US.
Over the years, Phillips military career had an impact on where the family lived. They resided at several locations, such as military bases located in Germany and Texas. At the age of 13, Shaquille was already around 6 feet 6 inches tall and decided to pursue basketball as a hobby. Moving to San Antonio, Texas, Shaquille started schooling at Robert G. Cole High School. Quickly he gained attention as the best player, enabling his team to win most of their matches and even the state championship.
Shaquille went on to Louisiana State University (LSU) to pursue a degree in business after graduating from high school. Being a part of LSU’s team, Shaquille won quite a few awards in the process. After completing three years in Louisiana, Shaquille made the decision to move on and apply for the NBA draft, which saw him being picked by the Orlando Magic. Later, in 2000, he completed his college degree, showing how much he valued education even after starting his professional career.
Meeting His Son, Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal met his biological father, Joseph Toney, for the first time in March 2016. This meeting took place at Vonda’s Kitchen, a restaurant in Newark, New Jersey, where Toney lived in an apartment above the establishment.
During their conversation, Toney shared his life story, including his time in prison for check forgery shortly after Shaquille’s birth. He expressed regret for not being part of Shaquille’s life. In response, Shaquille reassured him by saying, “I don’t hate you. I had a good life. I had Phil.”
This meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship, allowing both to find closure and understanding after years of separation.
Social Media Presence
Joseph Toney, the biological father of Shaquille O’Neal, maintains a private lifestyle and has no presence on social media platforms. Unlike his son Shaquille, who is active on various social media channels, Joseph Toney has chosen to stay out of the digital spotlight. There are no public accounts or profiles associated with him on major social networking sites.
Shaquille O’Neal, known as “Shaq,” is very active on social media. He uses platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with his fans. On Instagram, his handle is @shaq, where he shares photos and videos about his life, work, and interests. On Twitter, he tweets under the username @SHAQ, posting updates, jokes, and interacting with followers. His official Facebook page is Shaquille O’ Neal, where he shares similar content.
Shaq was one of the first celebrities to join Twitter, creating his account in November 2008. He wanted to have a direct way to communicate with his fans and share his thoughts. Over the years, he has used his social media presence to promote his business ventures, share personal moments, and engage with the public. His posts often include humor and motivational messages, reflecting his personality.
Personal Life of Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal, the former NBA superstar, has a large family. He was married to Shaunie Nelson on December 26, 2002. Together, they have four children:
- Shareef O’Neal: Born on January 11, 2000, Shareef has pursued a basketball career, playing for college teams like UCLA and LSU.
- Amirah O’Neal: Born in 2001, Amirah has also shown interest in basketball, playing at the collegiate level.
- Shaqir O’Neal: Born on April 19, 2003, Shaqir is following in his father’s footsteps, playing college basketball.
- Me’arah O’Neal: Born in 2006, Me’arah is the youngest and has been involved in basketball during her school years.
Shaunie had a son, Myles, from a previous relationship, whom Shaquille adopted. Shaquille also has a daughter, Taahirah, born in 1996, from a prior relationship with Arnetta Yardbourgh.
Shaquille and Shaunie divorced in 2011 but continue to co-parent their children. Shaquille emphasizes the importance of education and hard work to his kids, encouraging them to earn their own success.
Final Words
Joseph Toney’s story, while filled with challenges, holds significance as the starting point of Shaquille O’Neal’s journey. Though Joseph was absent during Shaq’s early years, their reunion in 2016 marked a meaningful chapter of understanding and closure. Through it all, Shaquille O’Neal has built an incredible life and legacy, proving the power of perseverance and the impact of those who step in to guide us.
