Shaquille O’Neal Reportedly Sued For Mocking Fan With Rare Genetic Disease


Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is reportedly being sued by Jahmel Binion, a fan who suffers from a rare genetic disease, and who was mocked by O’Neal via social media.

Binion, 23, from Warren, posted a selfie of himself on social media and was cruelly mocked by O’Neal, and others. He suffers from hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, a condition characterized by a reduced ability to sweat, sparse hair growth, missing teeth, and facial deformities.

Jahmel Binion is also suing Trey Burke, and the rapper known as Waka Flocka Flame, in Macomb County Circuit Court for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and general negligence for mocking him.

According to the lawsuit:

“The defendants mocked and ridiculed the plaintiff, a person completely unknown to themselves in public forums where their activity would be widely disseminated. The defendants’ communications clearly implied that the plaintiff was an appropriate object of mockery, ridicule and shame and had the effect of lowering the plaintiff’s reputation in the eyes of those who respected the views and opinion of the defendants.”

The whole thing started back in April when Shaquille O’Neal saw the selfie of Binion on social media and then took a selfie of himself mocking him on Instagram and Twitter, along with the words: “Smile today.”

Others joined the mocking, including former University of Michigan and current Utah Jazz basketball player Burke, as well as rapper Waka Flocka Flame.

Even though O’Neal did contact Binion to apologize once he found out about his condition, the apology didn’t go far enough, according to the victim:

“When they said sorry, I felt like they were saying it to get the pressure off of them for being considered ‘bad people.’ Even though I accept their apology, I still hope that they donate to my cause or other organizations that connect with ectodermal dysplasia.”

Binion’s attorney, John Henke III, said the mocking photos “constituted a public disclosure of embarrassing private facts about the plaintiff” and “placed plaintiff in a false light in the public eye,” adding that the mocking was done, “with reckless disregard to the harm that might be caused.”

The lawsuit brought by Jahmel Binion doesn’t name a damage figure, but seeks more than $25,000.

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