Shaq Gives Championship Ring for Food

Shaq's generosity is on full display in this story from SporTech Matter and the Sun Sentinel.com:

Shaquille O’Neal, like Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas and Dan Marino, is a regular at tiny Café Martorano in Fort Lauderdale -- and a friend of Steve, the owner.

When O’Neal stopped by around Christmas 2006, for the first time in a while, he promised Martorano that he had ordered a present for him: a championship ring.

“I laughed at him,” Martorano said. “Where’s it at?”

O’Neal told Martorano that Heat community affairs director Steve Stowe would be contacting him. But Martorano still hadn’t received his ring by the time O’Neal appeared at the grand opening of the second restaurant at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. Then O’Neal’s teammate, Eddie Jones, told Martorano that he couldn’t believe the restauranteur had fallen for O’Neal’s story.

So, naturally, Martorano was surprised when Stowe - dining at the Fort Lauderdale location Wednesday night -- peeked out the window and then welcomed O’Neal inside. They held a private ceremony in the kitchen. O’Neal thanked Martorano for being good to him and his family, and told him: “Enjoy this.”

“There are a couple of highlights in my life,” Martorano said. “The birth of my children, opening a second business in Las Vegas. This was another one. Getting a championship ring from Shaquille O’Neal.”

I'd write more commentary but it's been a busy day today...make your own in the comments. Sure seems like that Shaq is one swell guy.