Shaquille O'Neal shared his thoughts on the killing of George Floyd and the protests being staged across the United States during a Tuesday appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
The NBA Hall of Famer, who has some experience in law enforcement, told Kimmel he's frequently had conversations with his children about how to interact with police officers.
"I have that talk with them all the time," O'Neal said. "I tell them, first of all, you have to try to diffuse the situation by showing respect because you have to understand that these people are also out here doing their job. So, you try to diffuse the situation. And if it happens to get rough, don't say anything, don't do anything. Just comply.
"And then, when all is said and done, you call me. And if stuff gets out of hand, then I will handle it. I will be the one to come down there and act crazy. I don't want you to act crazy while you're out there by yourself. So, I just try to tell them to just comply, to just listen."
O'Neal acknowledged that complying with police "doesn't work" in some situations.
"I try to be real with them and to have certain conversations, but you know, from the videos I've seen with Mr. Floyd, he was complying," he said.
O'Neal joined the Broward Sheriff's Office in Broward County, Florida, as an auxiliary deputy last year. He has also served as a reserve officer in Florida and as an honorary sheriff's deputy in Georgia.
