November 7, 1991 basketball legend Ervin “Magic” Johnson shocked the world by announcing his abrupt departure from the Los Angeles Lakers after testing positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
At the time, many Americans viewed AIDS only as a disease of white homosexuals.
Johnson, who is African American and self-identifies as heterosexual, was one of the first sports stars to make his HIV-positive status public.
“Oh my God, the Magic is going to die soon,” was the first thought of his close friend and former Boston Celtics rival. Larry Birdbased on the book “When the game was ours”, which both wrote together.
During the press conference where he announced his diagnosis, Johnson he said he would volunteer to become a spokesperson for the virus and a role model. “I want young people to understand that they can practice safe sex. Sometimes you are a little naive and think that this will never happen to you,” he said. “You think this can only happen to other people. But it happened and I’m going to deal with it. My life will go on.”
Revered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Johnson spent his entire career 13 seasons in the NBA with the Lakers, which helped them win five championships in the 1980s.
The 6-foot-9 point guard, a native of Lansing, Michigan, was known for his extraordinary passing skills, infectious smile and love of the game. In 1981 he signed 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers.one of the first hyped contracts in the NBA.
Johnson, three-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star. didn’t completely hang up his basketball shoes after announcing his retirement in 1991.
He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 NBA All-Star Game and played on the Olympic Dream Team (along with Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing) that won gold for the United States in Barcelona that summer.
He briefly returned to the Lakers during the 1993–94 season. Main coach and briefly returned as a player for that team during the 1995–96 season.
Today Johnson is outstanding AIDS Awareness Press Secretary and a successful businessman making millions in various businesses including movie theaters and restaurants.
Serve as an example of how various medical treatments turned AIDS from a death sentence to a manageable condition for many people in the US and around the world.
Source: La Opinion
Mary Moore is an accomplished author and journalist known for her engaging and informative writing on trending topics. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a keen interest in current events and a talent for finding the human angle in stories, Mary’s writing is always engaging, insightful and informative.