SHAQ!!!

The fact that Shaq was the last active member of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players meant he was still playing long after I received my lithograph. Even though I have had the litho for over 10 NBA seasons, I had not had luck getting Shaq to sign my litho. Between not being able to attend games, or the team he was playing for leaving town right after the game, things had just not gone my way. After he retired, he was still in the public eye, as he did pre-game for TNT, and was in numerous commercials. When I got the list of signers for the November Chicago Sun-Times show, he was one of the marquee names! I paused, however, when I saw the price; two hundred ninety nine dollars! I thought this might be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so I bought a ticket. When the day arrived, I wanted to be sure to be in view of him when he walked to the table, so Will could get an idea of just how big Shaquille is. Our number came up quickly, as I had number 57. When it was our turn, I made a request: I wanted him to sign his first and last name. He signed the litho, and made a point to talk to Will, which I thought was sweet. I asked him for a group picture, and he said “Sure.” It wasn’t until I had left the table, and was at the PSA/DNA table, to get it authenticated, that I noticed that Shaq did exactly as I had asked. He had signed the lithograph, “Shaquille O’Neal”! I have never seen ANY autographs of his with his full first name. Not that they don’t exist, but I am saying that I have never seen one. Even though it was the most expensive autograph I have ever paid for, it was one of the coolest autograph experiences I have had in a very long time.