Advertisement

Shaq called! Michigan teen with size 23 feet surprised by NBA legend after sharing shoe story

1.3k
Susan Bromley, Hometownlife.com
·3 min read

When Eric Kilburn Jr.'s phone rang around 6 p.m. Wednesday, he answered to hear the unmistakable voice of basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.

“I was flabbergasted,” Eric, a Michigan 14-year-old, said. “My soul left my body for a moment, I was so shocked.”

The call has been the icing on the cake – or perhaps the laces on the shoes as Eric’s mother Rebecca says – to a month of March madness after Hometown Life, part of the USA TODAY Network, wrote about the Kilburn family’s quest to find size 23 shoes for Eric.

The story struck a nerve among readers who sought to help Eric get shoes that fit. Advice from readers included shoe-cobbling instructions, company recommendations and most commonly, urging the Kilburns to “reach out to Shaq,” is known for kindness and generosity.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Kilburns didn’t have O’Neal on speed dial, nor did they expect the star to take notice of their struggle. But after the Kilburns' story went viral and resulted in offers from both Puma and Under Armour to make custom shoes, O’Neal took notice, too.

Eric Kilburn with shoes that were created by Reebok for Shaquille O'Neal, but gifted to the 14-year-old who has struggled to find shoes that fit.
Eric Kilburn with shoes that were created by Reebok for Shaquille O'Neal, but gifted to the 14-year-old who has struggled to find shoes that fit.

Eric's story: A mom is searching worldwide for shoes her 14-year-old son needs. He has size 23 feet. 

More: Eric Kilburn Jr., 14, gets custom shoes from PUMA, Under Armour for his size 23 feet 

In his phone call to the Kilburn family, O’Neal, who wears size 22 shoes, empathized with Eric’s predicament. O’Neal told Eric that when he was the same age, his mom also couldn’t find the shoes he needed.

Robb Cropp, senior director of footwear development for Under Armour, measures the feet of Eric Kilburn Jr. at Bridgewood Church in Clarkston on March 26, 2023. Under Armour will custom make shoes for Eric's feet, which are estimated to be size 23.
Robb Cropp, senior director of footwear development for Under Armour, measures the feet of Eric Kilburn Jr. at Bridgewood Church in Clarkston on March 26, 2023. Under Armour will custom make shoes for Eric's feet, which are estimated to be size 23.

Eric, who sprained his ankle last fall playing JV football without cleats, asked O’Neal if he’d ever played football in high school. The answer was affirmative, but O’Neal also suffered an injury and six months later began playing the sport that would bring him fame and fortune.

“Shaq said he made $900 million by listening to his mom and dad, so he told me to listen to my parents,” Eric said.

O’Neal, who played in the NBA for 19 years, hasn’t had to worry about shoes in decades and soon Eric won’t have to, either.

Eric Kilburn Jr. listens to Shaquille O'Neal on speaker phone at his home in Goodrich on March 29, 2023. O'Neal reached out to the family after hearing about their struggle to find Eric size 23 shoes.
Eric Kilburn Jr. listens to Shaquille O'Neal on speaker phone at his home in Goodrich on March 29, 2023. O'Neal reached out to the family after hearing about their struggle to find Eric size 23 shoes.