Canadian Bobsledder Shaquille Anfernee Murray-Lawrence: The Shaq of Bobsled
Canadian bobsled push athlete Shaquille Anfernee Murray-Lawrence has a most interesting story, rooted in his unique name and winding path to the Olympics. Born in 1993, he was named after two basketball legends: Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, who were teammates on the Orlando Magic and won Olympic gold for USA Basketball at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
From Basketball Dreams to Bobsled Reality
His father hoped he would grow to 7 feet tall and dominate the basketball court like his namesakes. However, Murray-Lawrence stands around 5-foot-8 and took a different route. He pursued football in the United States after graduating from an Ontario high school, but his efforts to attract college coaches largely went unanswered.
He ended up at a junior college in Texas, only for the school to close. After transferring to another junior college and then UNLV, he averaged 7 yards per touch but was most notable for having the longest name in the school's history, dubbed the hardest fit in Rebel roster history.
A New Path with Bobsled Canada
Despite the challenges, the Canadian Football League showed interest, and Bobsled Canada took notice of his athletic abilities. Now, at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Murray-Lawrence competes as a push athlete, partnering with pilot Taylor Austin. After the first two runs of the two-man event, they were placed 15th, but for Murray-Lawrence, just being an Olympian is a significant achievement.
He expressed his pride, saying, “Today is very special for me, my country, my friends, family, my whole community. Just being able to give it my all and just represent Canada.”
Embracing the Legacy of His Name
Murray-Lawrence reflected on his father's hopes, stating, “My father was definitely a Shaq fan, and he hoped one day that I would grow to 7 feet tall and be dunking in basketball. That never happened, but I was blessed with tremendous speed, tremendous heart, tremendous pride, and that’s all I need.”
He is not the first athlete named Shaquille to compete in the Olympics. For instance, Zambian swimmer Shaquille Moosa finished 56th out of 73 in the 50-meter event at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Additionally, Greek basketball player Sofoklis Schortsanitis, known as “Baby Shaq,” played in the 2008 Beijing Games, scoring 15 points.
Looking Ahead and Meeting His Namesake
Murray-Lawrence has heard that Shaquille O'Neal might attend the Olympics, and he hopes to meet him at the bobsled track. He takes pride in his name, saying, “It’s a powerful name, you know. The name has a great legacy to it and I’m glad I’m able to hold up my end of the bargain. I wasn’t in basketball but, you know, I’ve dominated two sports now — so I think I’m doing pretty good.”
His journey from football to bobsledding showcases resilience and adaptability, proving that while he may not have followed in the exact footsteps of Shaq and Penny, he has carved out his own Olympic legacy.
