Obama Gets Autographed Shaquille O'Neal Sneaker (PHOTOS)

PHOENIX — What's the ideal gift for a basketball-obsessed president? Try a size 23 sneaker personally autographed by Shaquille O'Neal.

The Phoenix Suns center couldn't be around himself when President Barack Obama arrived at Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday afternoon. So when the president stepped off of Air Force One, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's son Jake made the presentation at the foot of the stairs.

The orange-and-white sneaker made a big impression.

Obama set it on the ground next to his own, much smaller shoe, and grinned as photographers captured the moment. Then Obama scooped it up and took it with him as he stepped into the presidential limo.

In Sunday's NBA All-Star game, O'Neal shared MVP honors with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

PHOTOS

Comments

[Lahonda]

...you know what they say about guys with big feet, huh? nod, nod, nudge, nudge

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

Goodness..­.that shoe is the same size as a Mini Cooper!

[Meggie]

What do presidents do with all the junk they get over the years?
The smithsonian will not want this artifact!

[Zen0469]

Wow! A genuine pre-owned sneaker.

[PDXTransplant]

Big hands and Big feet = Big gloves and big shoes

[kshawNCvoter]

omg that little boy in the obama tshirt is so cute. i want to bite his cheeks. i wish mrs. o would get pregnant just one more time.....i want an obama jr.

as far as the sneakers that's sweet gesture from shaq too.

[hip dibler]

some random iraqi should present that shoe to bush.

[MissLola]

Yes!

[cricket]

yao ming also presented a shoe to obama and white house spokesman gibbs said he will accept the shoes after lead testing is done.

[TLaw]

hmmm....no comment.

[2008FedUP]

Big feet means big....... WOW!!

[luvangelHussein330]

No actualy...­it's in the length of the middle finger to the base of the palm...not the feet

[fuzzyhearts]

In case of an emergency, he can use it as a floatation device.

[janinei]

lol!!

[Mollit]

LOL! That is a good one 'fuzzyhearts'!

[berryessence]

well i guess Bush and Obama has something in common.... people loves to give them shoes

[Cinnamongyrl]

Very funny!!

[tomcatv1]

Doesn't he have to turn the shoe over to the the government? I didn't think the Pres could accept gifts in him name.

[2008FedUP]

Ask Bush, he should turn his brain in.

[fem56]

How much does one used shoe cost? I have tried to sell one used shoe and didn't get much for it.

[Jaid]

Watching President Obama speak on the mortgage crisis in Mesa Arizona is simply refreshing!

[wineandjazz]

Isn't it? And just watch all of the GOP and Republicans complain about something he said.

[ckfan]

That's all they do is complain. I really believe they want him to fail so they can run strong in 2012. It's sad. Our country is in a financial melt down and all the Rethugs can think about is their own skin. Ridiculous.

[silverball]

not something, probably EVERYTHING­.........t­he whiners...­..

[PDXTransplant]

So will the people of Arizona - They will not give Obama a chance.

[swan1]

Shaq does not have the largest shoe of NBA . Bob Lanier size is 2 sizes bigger, and Obama wears a 13EE compared to Shaq 20 EEE

[luvangelHussein330]

Should we be concerned that you actually know the presidents shoe size...?