Shaquille O’Neal has opened up about a deeply personal tradition: calling Kobe Bryant’s mother, Pamela Bryant, once a month to check in on her.
In a recent interview withPeople, Shaq shared the emotional motivation behind the gesture, revealing a side of himself that’s tender, reflective, and still grieving.
“Their mom has been through a lot in a couple of years, and that takes a toll,” O’Neal said. “Sometimes you just need somebody to just call to check on you.”
Pamela Bryant has endured unimaginable heartbreak. In 2020, she lost her son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter crash. Just four years later, her husband Joe Bryant passed away from a stroke. Shaq, who won three championships alongside Kobe with the Lakers, says he can’t fully grasp her pain, but he wants to help carry it.
“I don’t know what it feels like to lose a son and a husband, so I’m sure she has a lot of pain that she’s dealing with,” he said. “I just try to make her smile.”
Shaq also sends flowers from time to time, hoping to brighten her day in small but meaningful ways.
Though Shaq and Kobe famously clashed during their playing days, their relationship evolved into mutual respect and admiration. Shaq now regrets not staying in closer touch before Kobe’s death, a regret that fuels his commitment to Kobe’s family.
“I’ll never get to see Kobe again, in real life, forever,” Shaq reflected. “And I just should have called. He should have called. We both should have called. But he’s working, I’m working, so it’s ‘I’ll see you when I see you.’”
Shaq’s story isn’t just about grief, it’s a reminder to reach out, reconnect, and cherish the people who matter. His closing words hit home:
“Call your mom. Call your brother. Call the homeboy you used to party with in college. Forever is a long time.”
