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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAOn Thursday, the Bureau announced its latest session of National Academy graduates and highlighted one of the members: NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal.
By JAKE FENNER, US SPORTS WRITER
Published: 22:08 BST, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 22:08 BST, 18 September 2026
The FBI has recruited a new special agent that stands above the rest.
On Thursday, the Bureau announced its latest session of National Academy graduates and highlighted one of the members: NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal.
The four-time NBA champion has become an honorary FBI Special Agent and received his stripes from FBI director Kash Patel – dwarfing him in size.
'Congratulations to our newest session of FBI National Academy graduates, session 299 - represented by 265 law enforcement officials from around the country,' Patel said in a post to X.
'This session is historic - FBI was honored to be joined by one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country - @Shaq - who graduated with this session and became an honorary FBI Special Agent.'
Patel added: 'It's also the first time ever a National Academy session includes two FBI special agents - representing Pennsylvania and North Carolina - making our partnerships out in the field even stronger. Congratulations to all - proud to serve alongside each of you. Mission first.'
Shaquille O'Neal was named an FBI special agent at a graduation led by director Kash Patel
O'Neal then gave a speech to the graduating class of National Academy session 299
O'Neal also managed to add a joke about his on-air NBA analyst partner, Charles Barkley
O'Neal has long been a supporter of law enforcement and the armed forces, with his primary father figure being a US Army Sergeant. He also spent part of his life on military bases in the country and around the world.
The big man gave a speech during the graduation session, thanking all those involved for their efforts.
'Continue to do what you do. Some of you will go back to your regular jobs. Some of you will go to specialized training,' he said.
'Some of you will go do what I do, be undercover. Well, I was undercover. But I just want to say I appreciate you guys so much. Congratulations.
'I'm not here for this, I'm here for you. I want to look at you guys and say I appreciate you, I love you, and thank you very much.'
Of course, O'Neal managed to add in an extra quip during the speech: 'And if you see Charles Barkley, arrest him.'
O'Neal has previously been named a reserve officer in police departments in California, Florida and Georgia.
He will return this fall when Inside the NBA goes back to the ESPN airwaves.