Shaquille O’Neal Backs 7-Foot-3 Texan’s Bid to Be Cop
Standing 7-foot-3 with a badge in mind, Jordan Wilmore came just one point short on his Texas peace officer exam—but gained an unusually tall supporter.
Wilmore, 24, an aspiring officer in Kemah, Texas, scored 69 on the state test, narrowly missing the required 70. Instead of giving up, he decided to try again, KHOU reports. His determination caught the attention of Police Chief Raymond Garivey, who noted that unlike many others he’s seen fail and quit during his 34-year career, Wilmore “wants to serve.”
It also caught the eye of someone who knows a thing or two about height and uniforms: Shaquille O’Neal. The 7-foot-1 NBA Hall of Famer and certified peace officer saw Wilmore’s story on Instagram and reached out. O’Neal, who says it took him five to seven years to graduate from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy, offered Wilmore his “full support” and pledged to cover his expenses for the next five months as he prepares for another attempt at the exam. He even promised a custom-made police car once Wilmore passes.
Wilmore, originally from Memphis, Tennessee, played basketball at Missouri, Northwestern State, and Austin Peay State University. He also played professionally overseas, most recently in the Philippines. But he says policing has always been his true passion. “It was hard for me to share my dreams or, you know, the stuff I wanted to do growing up because it was, ‘Well, you just got to focus on basketball because it can make you millions,’” he told CBS News in September.
Now, with O’Neal as a mentor, Wilmore is preparing for another shot at his peace officer license—and perhaps the unofficial title of tallest cop in Texas.
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