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Shaq surprised with humanitarian award in Houston

HOUSTON — Shaquille O’Neal is a big man with a big heart. Saturday afternoon, the former NBA star received a big surprise.

O’Neal appeared at a food distribution site at Houston’s NRG Stadium, but he was stunned to learn he was being awarded a humanitarian award by Mayor Sylvester Turner, KTRK reported.

”I didn’t know I was getting an award. I thought I was coming out here to help some people out,” O’Neal told the television station. “I don’t do it for stuff like that.

”If I knew I was getting an award, I probably wouldn’t have come. I don’t do it for that, but I am proud of the mayor and the city of Houston for what they’ve done out here. I’ve never seen a food bank this size and so organized.”

Turner said O’Neal, who lives in nearby Pearland, was a natural choice to be honored.

“Shaq has done so much on so many different levels,” Turner told KTRK. “And this random act of kindness award ... he exemplifies all of that.”