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Ball Don't Lie

Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:40 am EDT

Shaq applies for deputy sheriff gig in Cleveland

By J.E. Skeets

"America's Biggest Sheriff" wants back in the game.

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy is reviewing paperwork to determine whether Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal(notes) is eligible to help fight crime.

Per the Associated Press:

"Shaquille O'Neal is looking to continue a sideline career in law enforcement now that he's in Ohio playing for the Cavaliers. [...]

Spokesman John O'Brien of the Cuyahoga County sheriff's office says the Cavs center has applied to become a special deputy. He would have the right to carry a gun and make arrests but not be a paid, formal employee."

If O'Neal is approved, he would need to complete 36 hours of police training within six months and take the Ohio police examination to maintain the appointment. He would also have to pass a test on a shooting range — wait for it, wait for it — from about the free-throw line! Zing! (I'll show myself out.)

O'Neal previously served roles with law enforcement agencies in Arizona, Virginia and Florida, though, if I remember correctly, Shaq-Fu was stripped of his honorary badge in Arizona after he used a racially derogatory word and other foul language in a freestyle rap that mocked former teammate Kobe Bryant(notes).

Cheers, Waiting For Next Year.

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Related: Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Cleveland Cavaliers

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701 Comments

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  1. dave smith
    1. Posted by dave smith Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:10 am EDT

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    Go for it, Shaq. Witness Protection employees should carry guns.
  2. Airlock
    2. Posted by Airlock Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:13 am EDT

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    Good to see Shaq's got his priorities straight, wouldnt want something as trivial as the current NBA season spoiling his chances to roust folks out of their trailers/meth labs or something....
  3. Lenny D
    3. Posted by Lenny D Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:22 am EDT

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    Starts out 0-2 with Cleveland and he's worried about being a cop.....................How about your team Shaq!!!??
  4. Robert C
    4. Posted by Robert C Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:32 am EDT

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    Shaq's request should be denied. 'special' employee? Come on, why not just say, 'because he is famous' employee.
    I respect that Shaq wants to help law enforcement, but his employment would most likely be a distraction to the force rather than help them.
  5. dorfineer
    5. Posted by dorfineer Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:33 am EDT

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    Shaq is a distraction on every team he plays on. He might put up numbers, but it's not worth it!
    The more distractions for the Cavs the better...for my Bulls! I hope the Cavs continue their wonderful 0-2 trend...
  6. yas
    6. Posted by yas Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:38 am EDT

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    Good for Shaq
    He's got a plan for life after basketball, and a life outside of basketball.
  7. Missed Draft Defending Champ
    7. Posted by Missed Draft Defending Champ Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:55 am EDT

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    What is up with these grown men and wishing to be a cop? Grow the hell up guys and concentrate on what you're good at. Shaq reminds me of those guys who look like cops on the freeway but its just middle aged scumbags living out their cop fantasies.
  8. akb24b
    8. Posted by akb24b Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:15 pm EDT

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    if shaq is aiming a gun at you, how do you make him miss????
    ans: form a hoop with your arms
  9. Nate M
    9. Posted by Nate M Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:18 pm EDT

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    What's up with the picture? Is he a cop or a super hero?
  10. Mostafa S
    10. Posted by Mostafa S Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:38 pm EDT

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    The problem is local criminals will be able to evade the police by running the pick and roll.
  11. vf1rj
    11. Posted by vf1rj Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:55 pm EDT

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    Seriously, all these second-rate, trying hard comedians. You are not funny. Anybody can post a snarky remark. It doesn't necessarily make you witty. "form a hoop with your arms"? Tell that to Shaq, who on several seasons led the NBA in field goal percentage (in fact,last season, he was either 1st or 2nd in that category).
  12. rstealercavsfan (Shaqalier)
    12. Posted by rstealercavsfan (Shaqalier) Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:01 pm EDT

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    The jokes in here are lame.............
  13. TVMan
    13. Posted by TVMan Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:17 pm EDT

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    What a bozo! Man never improved his game once he got to the NBA. And, he was always out of condition. If he had worked on a 10-12 foot turnaround jumper, improving his free throw percentage and his shot blocking, he would be considered the best center. But the Big Prima Donna made a grade F movie and grade F rap album. Well, actually he did improve on flopping.
    Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Hakeen Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Bill Walton were all better pivots than Shuck.
  14. rstealercavsfan (Shaqalier)
    14. Posted by rstealercavsfan (Shaqalier) Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    TVMan,.............Did he need to improve his game? I mean he was the most dominate player for about 5 years in arow...........
    Some people say the most ignorant things.
  15. reesecrj
    15. Posted by reesecrj Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:40 pm EDT

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    Clearly Shaq is doing something right, becuase so many people hate him. You are often disliked when you choose to not live your life by kissing everyone's a$$. Go for Shaq. I wish you nothing but success both on and off the court. Just for some additional information because he is so famous his duties would not be out in the open. He will more likely do behind the scenes work like surveillance or scanning internet traffic like he did in Miami.
  16. elchorizo5
    16. Posted by elchorizo5 Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:40 pm EDT

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    He's so fat that he just wont bother running after a perp. just aim and shoot but even hi's shooting skills are putrid. Time to hang them up assam , shaq fool or what ever the hell nick name you give youre self.
  17. Bryan
    17. Posted by Bryan Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:51 pm EDT

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    he was a cop for miami beach police when he was in the miami heat and it wasnt a distraction to nobody he even won a nba championship with the heat while being a cop.
  18. IDGAD
    18. Posted by IDGAD Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:53 pm EDT

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    Why mess with locals? Shaq oughta be a FBI Special, extra special, Agent. He can team up with Herschel. Isn't he in the FBI by now? Shaq has a very rich fantasy life.
  19. Mark
    19. Posted by Mark Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:55 pm EDT

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    Shaq , please arrest your coach for impersonating a NBA coach.. This guy is ridiculos. Please lebbron go to another team. You cannot get a ring in cleveland!!!
  20. scherylthepearl
    20. Posted by scherylthepearl Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    it's only been TWO daggone games ppl. The media has a way of fooling some of you. Season has just begun. Sit back & watch
  21. The man your mom loves
    21. Posted by The man your mom loves Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    What criminal could not see that 7 foot cop coming If they dont wanna get caught they could just run to the free throw line
  22. elchorizo5
    22. Posted by elchorizo5 Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:21 pm EDT

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    Shaq is old and fat but maybe he can do us a favor and take care of some of the thugs in the NBA.Starting with the whole Denver Nuggets team.
  23. CavsFan
    23. Posted by CavsFan Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:25 pm EDT

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    Why are so many people hating Shaq? He's going to be doing the duties of a cop without being paid, meaning he's doing everything a cop does without taking a taxpayer salary. A community service in other words. And why are people upset to see a sporting star have a constructive interest outside of the sport? You complain that sportsmen are overpaid, and do nothing with their time...then when you get a guy that is doing something...you still complain.
  24. Anthony
    24. Posted by Anthony Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:49 pm EDT

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    Well its good to see Shaq is focusing so much on the Cavs season. lmao. Its just not gonna work in Cleveland. See he won a championship with the Heat because he had D-Wade. Now he has the ball stopper himself, Mr. Lebron James. Have fun for one more season Cleveland. Because next year Lebron is off to either the Nets or the Knicks where he can continue to compete for the leagues most coveted MVP trophy. hahaha

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