---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I put a lot into it, and when I am done…"
description: "\"I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on going undercover and then being the sheriff or chief of police somewhere, either Miami or Or..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/496/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-put-a-lot-into-it-and-when-i-am-done-p_1511246.jpg"
---

#  I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on…

![“I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on going undercover and then being the sheriff or chief of police somewhere, either Miami or Orlando, I don't know yet.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/496/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-put-a-lot-into-it-and-when-i-am-done-p_1511246.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/496/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-put-a-lot-into-it-and-when-i-am-done-p_1511246.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/496/shaquille-o-neal-659_basketball_i-put-a-lot-into-it-and-when-i-am-done-p_1511246.jpg)

> “I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on going undercover and then being the sheriff or chief of police somewhere, either Miami or Orlando, I don't know yet.”

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker envisions a dramatic career shift from sports to law enforcement, seeking new authority in a different arena.

**In simple terms:** He wants to become a police chief after retiring from basketball.

Key Takeaway

Plan a purposeful transition to public service.

Themes

career change authority identity future planning

Mood

determined reflective

Type

career personal growth

When to use this quote

- retirement planning
- community leadership
- law enforcement career
- personal branding

Key Concepts

role transition public service personal reinvention

Questions to Reflect On

- What motivates your desire for authority beyond sports?
- How will you prepare for the challenges of policing?

A Different Perspective

Ambition may clash with required training and experience.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Going Undercover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-undercover-4559544/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [Miami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miami/) [Orlando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orlando/) [Plan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Playing Plan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-plan-5563976/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Sheriff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheriff/) [Sheriffs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheriffs/) [Undercover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undercover/) [Undercover Sheriff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/undercover-sheriff-5563975/)

## Related quotes

> [“You’re going undercover. You won’t actually be a stripper,” David said with annoyance. “Will I be taking my clothes off in front of complete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-dyllin/you-re-going-undercover-you-won-t-actually-be-a-stripper-david-said/)

[D.T. Dyllin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-dyllin/)

> [When I retire, I'm going after his job. If I don't make sheriff, I'm going after his job. He's not that good. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/when-i-retire-i-m-going-after-his-job-if-i-don-t-make-sheriff-i-m/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [They won't talk to you because I'm undercover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/they-won-t-talk-to-you-because-i-m-undercover/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I want to go to police academy, I want to actually go out and make a couple of arrests. I want to go undercover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-want-to-go-to-police-academy-i-want-to-actually-go-out-and-make-a/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [It takes a lot of work to do this every day, every day, but I feel, as a sheriff, I should get to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-arpaio/it-takes-a-lot-of-work-to-do-this-every-day-every-day-but-i-feel-as-a/)

[Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-arpaio/)

> [I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/i-shot-the-sheriff-but-i-didn-t-shoot-no-deputy/)

[Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/)

> [This is not the first time that Mexican authorities have handed over an Arab from a country with known Al Qaeda connections to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-culberson/this-is-not-the-first-time-that-mexican-authorities-have-handed-over/)

[John Culberson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-culberson/)

> [The cyber world is sort of the Wild, Wild West, and to some degree, we're asked to be the sheriff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-cyber-world-is-sort-of-the-wild-wild-west-and-to-some-degree-we/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [I like the people that I work with, generally. With four exceptions. And I did not become a Lackawanna County volunteer sheriffs deputy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-schrute/i-like-the-people-that-i-work-with-generally-with-four-exceptions-and/)

[Dwight Schrute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-schrute/)

> [Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Phoenix arrested three people. As soon as he arrested those three people, everybody else immediate left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/sheriff-joe-arpaio-in-phoenix-arrested-three-people-as-soon-as-he/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [ Now, \[Donald\] Trump has thus far gotten endorsements from illustrious group, that includes Sarah Palin, David Duke, Dennis Rodman, racially profiling birther sheriff, Joe… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/now-donald-trump-has-thus-far-gotten-endorsements-from-illustrious/)

[Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/)

> [Personally I had the opportunity to go on several ride alongs with the LA County Sheriff's Department with some amazing detectives, who were invaluable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-mckeon/personally-i-had-the-opportunity-to-go-on-several-ride-alongs-with/)

[Nancy McKeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-mckeon/)

> [The place was packed as we flooded in, all the patrons freezing at the sight of an armed sheriff, two deputies, an Indian, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-johnson/the-place-was-packed-as-we-flooded-in-all-the-patrons-freezing-at-the/)

[Craig Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-johnson/)

> [I don't care to be good, Sheriff. I care to be whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-don-t-care-to-be-good-sheriff-i-care-to-be-whole/)

[Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/)

> [I roam the streets all the time. You'll be shocked. I'm shocked, everybody that comes up to me, "Oh, thank you, Sheriff. You're supporting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-arpaio/i-roam-the-streets-all-the-time-you-ll-be-shocked-i-m-shocked/)

[Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-arpaio/)

## More by Shaquille O'Neal

> [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [And if the big dog ain't me, then the house won't get guarded - period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-if-the-big-dog-ain-t-me-then-the-house-won-t-get-guarded-period/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I don't send messages, I'm not a fax machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-don-t-send-messages-i-m-not-a-fax-machine/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I told our guys they must not have cable because Antoine Walker knows how to play, Derek Anderson can play, Shandon Anderson knows how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-told-our-guys-they-must-not-have-cable-because-antoine-walker-knows/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I was really upset. I felt like they tried to limit me, whoever 'they' may be. So I just said to myself third quarter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-was-really-upset-i-felt-like-they-tried-to-limit-me-whoever-they/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Keep in mind, I'm not allowed to be tough. I'm tamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/keep-in-mind-i-m-not-allowed-to-be-tough-i-m-tamed/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I'm still the baddest expletive in the world. Yeah, I'm getting older, but Kareem got older. Hakeem got older. I don't need Earthlings' respect.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-m-still-the-baddest-expletive-in-the-world-yeah-i-m-getting-older/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Write this: Since my boy is the coach, I'm going to try out for the Dolphins next year. Tight end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/write-this-since-my-boy-is-the-coach-i-m-going-to-try-out-for-the/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Everybody talks about being a role model. But if you look up the word 'role' in a dictionary, it describes playing a part. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/everybody-talks-about-being-a-role-model-but-if-you-look-up-the-word/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Why don't you bring your face up here and let me punch it? Then you can tell me (if I'm stronger).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/why-don-t-you-bring-your-face-up-here-and-let-me-punch-it-then-you/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I'm known as The Big Baryshnikov.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-m-known-as-the-big-baryshnikov/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Enunciation, diction, all that stuff. None of that is in my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/enunciation-diction-all-that-stuff-none-of-that-is-in-my-personality/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [I told Leonard, in the immortal words of Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2, 'I'm going on vacation. If I tell you where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-told-leonard-in-the-immortal-words-of-tom-cruise-in-mission/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Stats don't matter. I care about winning, not stats. If I score 0 points and we win I'm happy. If I score 50, 60…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/stats-don-t-matter-i-care-about-winning-not-stats-if-i-score-0-points/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

[Explore all 422 Shaquille O'Neal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

## More Basketball quotes

> [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

> [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/)

[Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/)

> [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/)

[Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/)

> [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/)

[Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/)

> [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/)

[John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/)

> [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/)

[Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/)

> [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/)

[Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/)

> [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/)

[Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/)

> [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/)

[Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/)

> [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/)

[Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/)

> [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/)

[Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/)

> [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/)

[Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/)

> [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/)

[Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/)

[Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/)

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