UPDATE: Shaquille O’Neal is stepping in to support 24-year-old Jordan Wilmore, a towering 7-foot-3 police recruit from Kemah, Texas, after Wilmore fell just one point short on his state exam. This urgent development highlights O’Neal’s commitment to mentoring aspiring officers and his passion for law enforcement.
The story unfolded after Wilmore’s recent exam setback, which occurred earlier this month. Despite a rigorous training at the police academy, Wilmore’s dream of becoming a police officer faced a significant hurdle. “I wanted to just let him know, he has my full support,” O’Neal stated. “I’m going to be on you, brother, make sure you’re getting it done.”
Wilmore, a Memphis native, initially pursued basketball throughout his life, facing pressure to capitalize on his height. He played for various colleges, including Missouri, Northwestern State, and Austin Peay State University, and even played professionally overseas, with his last stint in the Philippines last year. However, his true calling was always in law enforcement, a passion he has now fiercely embraced.
After hearing about Wilmore’s challenges, O’Neal decided to cover Wilmore’s expenses for the next five months, allowing him to focus solely on retaking the exam. “First I was down, but then I realized I’m still young,” Wilmore explained. “You fail, you got to get right back up. You can’t be so quick just to quit.”
This heartfelt mentorship from O’Neal emphasizes the importance of resilience and support in achieving one’s dreams. The former NBA star has previously expressed his admiration for law enforcement, stating, “It’s commendable that a kid wants to be an officer. I love cops.”
As Wilmore prepares for his second chance, the community is rallying behind him, inspired by this unexpected alliance between a sports icon and an aspiring officer. The next steps for Wilmore include intense preparation for the retake, and with O’Neal’s backing, he is motivated to succeed.
Stay tuned for updates as Wilmore embarks on this crucial journey toward fulfilling his dream of serving as a police officer.
