Shaquille O’Neal heard a toddler cry during his interview on stage—what he did next left the audience surprised

Shaquille O'Neal is loved by his fans not just for being a celebrated athlete, but also for his wholesome personality. Over the years, Shaq has won the internet countless times for having epic interactions with his fans. One such interaction was seen while Shaq was on stage during an interview with Patrick Bet-David, per Goalcast. But this time, it wasn't one of Shaq's regular fans. It was a toddler who had started crying in the audience while her parent was watching Shaq's interview.

While Shaq spoke to Bet-David, the cries of the toddler in the audience caught his attention. The moment from the interview was posted on an Instagram fan page dedicated to the basketball icon, @shaqnews. Without a second thought, the former basketball player paused the interview and started speaking to the baby whose cry he heard from the podium. “I’m sorry, little baby, where are you? Don’t you cry, you little baby?" Shaq said into his mic. “I love you, I love babies. Can I see that baby? Can you bring that baby up?"

After a short while, the toddler's father brought his crying daughter on stage as Shaq enveloped her in his arms. He comforted the toddler as she sat on his lap, looking at the audience. At that moment, she stopped crying. “Babies love Uncle Shaq. I’m sorry,” Shaq humored, "Do you wanna go to the club too? Hey, babysitting gonna cost you $200. All right, love you. Love you, baby.” He asked the toddler's name and got to know that it was Mia. “Love you, Mia,” he added as the baby's dad took her back into the crowd, and continued answering questions in the interview. As a father to six kids, Shaq had a pretty good understanding of raising a child and how to comfort them when they are in distress.

He shares four kids with ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal and a daughter with former girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. Shaq also has a stepson, Myles, from Shaunie's previous relationship. Despite separations, Shaq continues to be on friendly terms with O'Neal and Yardbourgh as they co-parent their kids. “I have two wonderful women that have given me beautiful, gorgeous children, I have to protect, and I have to provide, and I have to love them forever,” he said in an interview with The Pivot Podcast. The best moment is just coming home every day and hearing five, six different voices,” Shaq added in an interview with "2 Lies and 1 Truth" podcast. “The worst moment is when the separation happened, and they weren't there every day. That was probably my worst moment.​”

@ms._tag1 shared, "If only I had a soothing voice and a hug to comfort me. I am going to lose my daddy. He’s not going to make it through the remainder of the year. We all have been through or going through this sting of death. I’m usually on the other side consoling listening ear even if there’s nothing to say and I hold the phone or sit with it so you know I’m there!" @kosty_ca commented, "Shaq has a positive energy and that’s why I love him so much." @marbieking joked, "If this happened with my son, my stepdad would simply pass away because he is an all-time Shaq fan." @j.t.j.59 added, "He’s the coolest man ever. He came to my small town to play a pregame concert on campus yesterday! Always been a fan of how genuine he is."