Greatness: Shaquille Purifoy

Shaquille “Shaq” Purifoy was a gifted multi-sport athlete, having played football, basketball and track at Pensacola’s Pine Forest High School and continuing on to play football at Grambling State University. At Grambling, his goal was to study to become a physical therapist.

Shaq’s future was tragically cut short on June 13, 2014. He died at Pensacola’s Sacred Heart Hospital the following day. He was 21 years old.

While Shaq’s family waited in the hospital, a conversation Shaq had with his older brother, Dewayne Purifoy, about eight months prior was introduced. Shaq had the opportunity to be an organ donor.

“Shaq told me, ‘You can’t take organs with you. Why not give them to someone else once you’ve passed away?’” Dewayne said. “I told our mom, ‘Mom, we already talked about this. Yes, he will be a donor. I know it’s what he wanted.”

By providing the Gift of Life, Shaq donated six organs to five recipients, ranging in age from 30 to 72. He donated his liver, left lung, pancreas, both kidneys and heart.

“It’s comforting to know parts of him are living on,” Dewayne said. “Knowing he saved five people’s lives helps us find comfort in his death. He’s a hero.”