Paralympian Ezra Frech Reveals Inspiring DM from Shaquille O’Neal Before Gold Medal Wins (Exclusive)
Paralympian Ezra Frech recently shared an inspiring moment from his journey to winning gold at the Paris Paralympics, revealing a personal message he received from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The 19-year-old athlete, who clinched gold in the 100m sprint and men’s high jump, expressed his excitement over the motivational support he received from one of his sports idols.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Frech recounted how he was overwhelmed when O’Neal reached out to him via direct message. “I made a video in the Paralympic Village where I talked about wearing a Shaquille O’Neal jersey, and my teammates were teasing me about it,” Frech said. “I posted this video, and Shaq DMs me saying, ‘Love you brother, go out there. Win gold.’”
Frech, who was born with congenital limb differences leading to the amputation of his left leg at age 3, admitted that O’Neal’s encouragement played a significant role in his performance. “Shaq’s message was really cool,” he said. “I was freaking out in my room. Maybe I felt so motivated by it, I had to do it twice.”
Earlier this month, Frech’s exceptional performance helped Team USA secure two additional gold medals. Despite his triumphant achievements, Frech has since shifted his focus to starting college at the University of Southern California and preparing for future competitions.
Frech, who co-founded Angel City Sports, remains passionate about raising awareness for Paralympic athletes. “You don’t have to feel pity for these athletes,” he told Us Weekly. “The Paralympics is the highest level competition on the planet. We just happen to have physical disabilities.” He is enthusiastic about the growing visibility of the Paralympics and the positive changes in media representation.
Looking ahead, Frech is aiming for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles and is excited about sharing his story through various platforms. He is expected to be featured in the upcoming documentary *Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution*, created by P&G Studios & Harder Than You Think, which aims to redefine perceptions of disability.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Frech enjoys reality TV and has some casting suggestions for future seasons. He mentioned his friend Nick Mayhugh, a fellow Paralympic athlete, as a great fit for *Love Island*, and recommended Trenten Merrill, another Paralympic medalist, as a potential candidate for *The Bachelor*.
Ezra Frech’s story is one of resilience and inspiration, underscored by the support of his sports heroes and his ongoing dedication to changing the narrative around disability.