Shaquille O’Neal Planning To Build La. Children’s Hospital Where “All Sick Children Can Come For Free” (Video)

Shaquille O'Neal, a former LSU and NBA star, used his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches to make a special announcement that would impact the lives of many families here in Louisiana:

I had a talk with the powers to be in Baton Rouge and my plan is to build a Shaquille O'Neal Children's Hospital.

But this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment announcement. O'Neal says he's been discussing the idea with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge for the last two years. Shaq says he wants to build a hospital in Baton Rouge where sick children can get medical care for free.

That's my plan: To be the biggest, freeest hospital in the state of Louisiana. All sick children can come for free. That's my vision.

Shaq says he wants to give back to Louisiana, because the Pelican State has given him so much. "LSU lifted me to greatness; the people of Louisiana lifted me to greatness," says O'Neal. "And after college I had so much confidence and so much ability because of the character that I created in Louisiana (that) the sky was the limit for me."

If you want to know more about Shaquille O'Neal, you can read his biography "Shaq Uncut: My Story." (I read it and loved it!)

Watch Shaq make his big announcement below. He also talks about his first experience with crawfish at a crawfish festival!