Life
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Entreprenuer, Athlete – On 20 Years Living With HIV
Earvin “Magic” Johnson. PHOTO/File
People have looked up to Magic Johnson for most of his life, and not just because he’s 6’9.” Though an National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar, he won three MVP awards and five championships with the LA Lakers, it’s the last two decades that have made Johnson a role model.
In 1991, when Johnson retired from the NBA to focus on his health, HIV and AIDS had reached epidemic proportions. At the time, many dismissed AIDS as a disease of drug addicts and homosexuals. But here was a straight, top-tier athlete announcing to the world that he had tested positive for HIV and would step down immediately from professional basketball.
Johnson’s resignation press conference on November 7, 1991 was a stunner. It hammered home for many the fact that HIV could affect anyone, anywhere.
