Shaq For Sheriff: Former Heat Legend Plans Run

ATLANTA, GA — Former Miami Heat star and NBA hall of famer Shaquille O'Neal told a television news station in Georgia that he plans to run for sheriff in 2020. But Shaq didn't say where he was planning to run for office. In theory, the 7 foot 1 inch athlete could run in Florida or Georgia since he maintains dual residency, according to multiple reports.

"This is not about politics for me," he said in the television interview. "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." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Pinecrest Patch.)

Shaq has long had ties to Miami area law enforcement agencies. He served as a reserve officer in Miami Beach for a time and also in the city of Doral.

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The Heat retired O'Neal's #32 jersey at a December ceremony when the Heat took on the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal became only the third Heat player to have his jersey retired along with Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.

He played for 19 seasons, earning four NBA Championships, three NBA Finals MVP’s, 15 all-star selections, three all-star MVP’s, a regular season NBA MVP, a NBA rookie of the year award a gold medal with Team USA while being named to 14 all-NBA teams and three NBA all-defensive teams.

He appeared in 1,207 career regular season NBA games (1,197 starts) and averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.26 blocks and 34.7 minutes while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. His professional career ranks among the best in NBA history with 28,596 points (seventh), 2,732 blocks (eighth) and 13,099 rebounds (14th), according to the Heat.

Watch below as Shaq discusses his plans to run for sheriff:

Photo courtesy of the Miami Heat