Shaquille O’Neal Sends Shoes To Teen With Record-Breaking Hands And Feet

Photo: Shaquille O'Neal (Instagram)

Eric Kilburn Jr., a 16-year-old from Goodrich, Michigan, has set the 2025 Guinness World Record for having the largest hands and feet for a teenager. Standing at six-foot-eleven, he wears size 23 shoes, making it almost impossible to find shoes that fit in regular stores. But basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who understands the struggle, stepped in to help.

Kilburn's story gained attention last year after a news article shared his challenge of finding shoes that fit. Soon after, support started pouring in. Kilburn said, "We made hundreds of calls to different shoe companies, asking if they could make shoes my size, but many said no unless I was a professional athlete."

Kilburn, a high school football player, got help from companies like Under Armour and Puma, who offered to make him custom shoes. In the meantime, Shaquille O'Neal sent him several large boxes filled with clothes and shoes, as O’Neal also has big feet and understands the struggle.

Photo: Eric Kilburn Jr. (Instagram)

Kilburn’s mother, Rebecca, said, "Shaquille became a great support for Eric. He even gave him advice on how to handle media attention and focus on the positive."

In a recent interview, Kilburn showed off his collection of custom-made shoes, including pairs from Under Armour and even shoes gifted by Shaq, like a pair of Reebok Shaq Attaq sneakers and a Louis Vuitton boot.

Congratulations to Eric Kilburn Jr. - his size 22 feet are inside #GWR2025!https://t.co/ovEPSyPHWe

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) September 12, 2024

O'Neal, who wears a size 22 shoe, has also spoken about his own struggles growing up with large feet, often wearing shoes that were too tight. Now, he makes sure his shoes are always a little bigger to stay comfortable.

For Kilburn, having shoes that fit has made a big difference in his life. His mother said, "You wouldn't think something as simple as shoes could be so important, but I’ve seen his confidence grow just from wearing shoes that fit and that he likes."

Eric Kilburn Jr. has the largest hands and feet on a teenager.

He wears shoes originally designed for Shaquille O'Neal 👟 pic.twitter.com/siNJ4Avtkf

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) September 12, 2024

This story reminds us how the right shoes can make a big difference, both practically and emotionally, in someone's life.

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Source: Yahoo Sports