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Shaq Gives Obama His Shoe

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 18, 2009 9:23 AM CST

(AP) – What's the ideal gift for a basketball-obsessed president? Try a size 23 sneaker personally autographed by Shaquille O'Neal. The Phoenix Suns center couldn't be around himself when President Obama arrived at Sky Harbor International Airport yesterday afternoon. So when the president stepped off of Air Force One, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's son, Jake, made the presentation at the foot of the stairs.

The orange-and-white sneaker made a big impression. Obama set it on the ground next to his own, much smaller shoe, and grinned as photographers captured the moment. Then Obama scooped it up and took it with him as he stepped into the presidential limo. In Sunday's NBA All-Star game, O'Neal shared MVP honors with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jake Gordon, son of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, left, gives an autographed shoe from Shaquille O'Neil to President Barack Obama as he arrives at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Feb. 17, 2009.
Jake Gordon, son of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, left, gives an autographed shoe from Shaquille O'Neil to President Barack Obama as he arrives at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Feb. 17, 2009.   (Gerald Herbert)
President Obama is presented with Shaquille O'Neal's shoe by Mayor Phil Gordon after arriving at Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009.
President Obama is presented with Shaquille O'Neal's shoe by Mayor Phil Gordon after arriving at Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal scores against the Los Angeles Clippers' during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 in Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal scores against the Los Angeles Clippers' during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Matt York)
Shaquille O'Neal looks to pass, as Rashard Lewis defends during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, in Phoenix.
Shaquille O'Neal looks to pass, as Rashard Lewis defends during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Jake Gordon, son of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, left, gives an autographed shoe from Shaquille O'Neil to President Barack Obama as he arrives at the Phoenix airport, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009.
Jake Gordon, son of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, left, gives an autographed shoe from Shaquille O'Neil to President Barack Obama as he arrives at the Phoenix airport, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Guest
Feb 21, 2009 6:02 AM CST
Hope He remembers to put that on his taxes as income....lol
Guest
Feb 18, 2009 1:40 AM CST
The way Shaq is at the free throw line...he would have missed. And Obama would have gotten the rebound and started a fast break...and he would have finished it off with a dunk into something that represented a basketball rim with the shoe that represented a basketball. Huh?
sache
Feb 18, 2009 12:07 AM CST
I did not get how it would be hilarious to throw a shoe at the President. Did not like it when one was thrown at Bush. Would not like it if one were thrown at Obama. Otherwise it was a nice gesture by Shaq and the President seems to have liked the gift.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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