Shaq and Gronk are teaming up on a fundraiser for social justice. Here are details
Two sports stars embodying a life of the party personality are teaming up for a virtual fundraising event geared toward raising awareness and money for social injustice following the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery that led to nationwide protesting.
NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, who won one of his NBA titles with the Miami Heat, and Rob Gronkowski, who came out of NFL retirement to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, are holding a three-hour live event called, “Shaq’s Fun House vs. Gronk Beach” at 8 p.m. June 27.
The title name references their Super Bowl parties. Gronk turned South Beach into Gronk Beach at this year’s Super Bowl held in Miami.
“We want to be sensitive to people. That’s why we wanted [it] to be labeled as ‘Party with a Purpose,’” O’Neal said, according to ESPN. “We just want to bring a little joy. There’s a lot of stuff going on, and we are aware of that, and we hope to do our part. We’re gonna continue to do our part.”
Snoop Dogg, DaBaby, Carnage, Diplo and Steve Aoki are set to perform music, while Shaq is set to perform as DJ Diesel as well.
Shaq and Gronk are also competing in six challenges, according to ShaqvsGronk.com — the event’s website. They include a lip sync battle, a game of Horse, jousting, a sports obstacle course, a grilling steak challenge and a chicken wing eating contest.
The event benefits the NAACP Empowerment Programs for #TeamGronk and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for #TeamShaq.
“We wanted to do it now with a purpose, and this is a purpose to raise money for great causes and to raise money for everything that’s going on out there,” Gronkowski said, according to ESPN. “So music, sports, competitions — we just knew that it was a win-win. And on top of it, whenever Shaq and I have the chance to come together and bring other people together — ‘cause that’s what we love to do, is bring everyone together, unite everyone together — we just knew it was a no-brainer to do.”
Taylor Rooks and JB Smoove are set to host the event, which will air on the ShaqvsGronk.com website as well as being streamed on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Twitch.
According to ESPN, “the event’s partner, DoorDash, has pledged to donate one meal for every viewer who livestreams the event — up to 1.25 million meals — through its partnership with Feeding America. Fans will also be able to show off their dance moves with The General’s Fan Cam.”
For additional information, go to ShaqvsGronk.com.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 2:15 PM.
