ORANGE, Texas — A Bridge City 12-year-old was left speechless this week after running into a seven foot tall star at an Orange County gas station along Interstate 10.
When Austin Yeaman, 12, of Bridge City, stopped by the Stuckey's at FM1442 and Interstate 10 with his family at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday he was in for a huge surprise.
Yeaman and his parents, who were headed to Conroe for a fishing trip, had stopped at the convenience store for some road trip snacks when they met former NBA star, Shaquille O'Neal, according to his mom, Taylor Yeaman.
When they first walked into the store, Yeaman and his mom thought they recognized the 7'1" tall former Laker but his dad said no that's him, according to Yeaman's mom.
After grabbing their snacks and getting in the car to leave, Austin noticed a Ford pickup truck in the parking lot that read "Shaq Duty" instead of the usual "super duty," according to his Austin's mom, Taylor.
O'Neal is well known for his vehicle collection and a truck with that moniker on the tailgate.
Once inside the store they walked up to O'Neal and Austin, who his mom says is not usually shy, clammed up and couldn't get a word out.
His mom tells 12News she broke the ice saying, "I hate to bother you, but are you the one and only Shaquille O'Neal?"
O'Neal then smiled at them and shrugged according to Austin's mom.
"If you would say something I would know," Austin's mom added.
O'Neal then turned to Austin and said "Well, what do you think, little buddy?"
Austin remained speechless but managed a big grin as he posed for a photo with O'Neal towering over him.
"I have never seen him so speechless," Yeaman said of her son.
While they were talking to O'Neal he greeted a Texas DPS trooper who was in the store, shaking his hand and thanking him for his service, according to Taylor Yeaman.
The trooper also seemed rather speechless she said.
Once back in the car Austin regained his speech saying "oh my God, I just met Shaq."
He then asked his mom to send him the photo and send it to all their family because, he said, no one would believe him otherwise.
His mom described Shaq as "super sweet."
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.