Who is O’Neal’s Father? Get to Know Joseph Toney

Many people know Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend, for his powerful dunks, funny personality, and business success. But not everyone knows the story of Joseph Toney, the man who is Shaquille O’Neal’s biological father.

Early Life of Joseph Toney

Joseph was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He lived in a neighborhood that faced many challenges, including poverty and crime. Like many young men of his time, Joseph had dreams. He was passionate about sports and was even known to be a skilled basketball player himself during his youth.

However, life didn’t go the way he might have hoped. While he had potential, he made some poor choices in his early years that affected his future and his relationship with his son, Shaquille O’Neal.

Joseph Toney and Lucille O’Neal

In the early 1970s, Joseph Toney was in a relationship with Lucille O’Neal, who would later become the mother of Shaquille. When Lucille became pregnant with Shaquille, she was only 17 years old. It was a difficult time for both of them. They were very young and still trying to figure out their lives.

Shortly after Shaquille was born in 1972, Joseph faced personal struggles that changed everything. He became involved with drugs and ended up in trouble with the law. These problems made it difficult for him to be a part of his son’s life.

Why Joseph Toney Was Not in Shaquille’s Life

Joseph Toney’s absence was not because he didn’t care. He was dealing with addiction and legal issues that kept him away. He was arrested and spent time in prison when Shaquille was still a baby. During this time, Lucille O’Neal decided to move on and provide a better life for her son.

Later, she married Phillip Harrison, a military man who stepped in as Shaquille’s father figure. Phillip raised Shaquille with discipline, love, and strong values. In fact, Shaquille has often referred to Phillip Harrison as his “real dad” because he was the one who raised him.

The Role of Phillip Harrison

Though Joseph Toney is Shaquille’s biological father, it was Phillip Harrison who took on the role of dad throughout Shaquille’s life. Harrison was a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army. He taught Shaquille the importance of hard work, respect, and staying focused.

Shaquille has said in many interviews that Phillip Harrison helped him become the man he is today. He admired Harrison’s discipline and leadership. Because of Harrison, Shaquille had a stable family environment and the support he needed to succeed in basketball.

Joseph Toney’s Life After Prison

After serving his time, Joseph tried to turn his life around. He stayed out of the public eye for many years. He was aware of his son’s growing fame but did not immediately reconnect with him. For a long time, there was no contact between them.

Joseph lived a quiet life in New Jersey. He reportedly worked to stay clean from drugs and live a better lifestyle. Even though he was not part of Shaquille’s childhood, he hoped one day they could reconnect.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Feelings About Joseph Toney

For years, Shaquille had mixed emotions about Joseph Toney. He didn’t grow up with him, so there was emotional distance. In many interviews, Shaquille said he felt no hatred, but he didn’t really know Joseph and wasn’t ready to reconnect for a long time.

Shaquille once said in an interview that he didn’t want to hear excuses from his biological father. He believed that his stepfather, Phillip Harrison, was the one who truly deserved the title of “dad.” Because of this, Shaquille was not interested in building a relationship with Joseph for most of his adult life.

The Emotional Reunion

Things changed later in life. After Phillip Harrison passed away in 2013, Shaquille began to think more about family and forgiveness. He eventually agreed to meet Joseph Toney for the first time in decades.

The reunion was emotional. Shaquille met Joseph and listened to his side of the story. Joseph admitted to his mistakes and expressed regret for not being there. It was not easy, but Shaquille accepted the meeting and chose to forgive.

While they didn’t build a close father-son relationship, the meeting allowed both men to find peace. It was a big moment for both of them especially Joseph, who had waited a long time for that day.

What We Learn From Joseph’s Story

Joseph Toney’s life is a story of regret, growth, and redemption. It teaches us a few important lessons:

People make mistakes – Joseph made choices that led to serious consequences, but he didn’t give up on life.

Addiction is a real struggle – His battle with drugs shows how addiction can affect families and relationships.

Forgiveness is powerful – Even though he was not part of Shaquille’s life, the chance to talk and say sorry meant a lot.

Fatherhood is more than biology – Phillip Harrison raised Shaquille and gave him the love and support he needed. This shows that being a dad is about what you do, not just who you are by blood.

Where is Joseph Toney Now?

Joseph Toney has remained mostly out of the spotlight. He is not involved in the celebrity world and does not seek attention. After reconnecting with his son, he reportedly continued to live a quiet and peaceful life.

There are very few public interviews or photos of Joseph Toney. He has chosen privacy over publicity, even though his son is one of the most famous athletes in the world.

FAQs

Who is Joseph Toney?

Joseph Toney is the biological father of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. He was a high school basketball standout but faced legal issues and struggled with addiction, leading to his absence during much of Shaq’s upbringing.

Why wasn’t Joseph Toney involved in Shaquille O’Neal’s early life?

Shortly after Shaq’s birth in 1972, Joseph Toney was incarcerated for drug possession and check forgery. Upon his release, he did not re-enter Shaq’s life and agreed to relinquish his parental rights to Shaq’s stepfather, Phillip Harrison.

Did Shaquille O’Neal ever meet his biological father?

Yes, Shaquille O’Neal met Joseph Toney for the first time in March 2016, following the death of his stepfather, Phillip Harrison.

How did Shaquille O’Neal feel about his biological father?

In his 1994 rap song “Biological Didn’t Bother,” Shaq expressed his feelings of abandonment, stating “Phil is my father.” However, after meeting Joseph Toney in 2016, Shaq stated, “I don’t hate you.”

What did Joseph Toney do after being released from prison?

After his release, Joseph Toney worked as a delivery driver for a food service that supplied homeless shelters.

Is Joseph Toney still alive?

Yes, as of the latest available information, Joseph Toney is alive.

Did Joseph Toney ever try to reconnect with Shaquille O’Neal?

Yes, Joseph Toney made several attempts to reconnect with Shaquille O’Neal over the years, including appearing on talk shows. However, these efforts were not successful until their meeting in 2016.

How did Shaquille O’Neal feel about his stepfather, Phillip Harrison?

Shaquille O’Neal has often referred to Phillip Harrison as his true father, crediting him with providing guidance and discipline throughout his life.

Did Joseph Toney ever express regret for his past actions?

Yes, Joseph Toney has expressed regret for his past actions and the impact they had on his family.

What is the current relationship between Shaquille O’Neal and Joseph Toney?

As of the latest available information, Shaquille O’Neal and Joseph Toney have an open line of communication, occasionally meeting and speaking on the phone.

The Bottom Line

So, who is Shaquille O’Neal’s father? The answer is Joseph Toney, a man with a troubled past who once lost his way but eventually tried to make things right. His story is not perfect, but it’s real. It reminds us that life is full of challenges, and people can change if they truly want to.

Although Joseph Toney did not raise Shaquille, he is still an important part of the story. Their journey may not have been smooth, but the chance for peace and understanding shows that it’s never too late to heal old wounds.

As fans of Shaquille O’Neal, it’s important to know not just his success, but also the personal stories behind the scenes. And now, you know everything about Joseph Toney, the man who gave life to a legend.