Magic Johnson: HIV 20 Years Later

Sports — 08 November 2011
Magic Johnson: HIV 20 Years Later

LOS ANGELES — Twenty years ago, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was handed what most assumed to be a death sentence.

The widely popular Lakers star announced to the world on Nov. 7, 1991, that he had “attained” the HIV virus and would immediately retire from the NBA.

Most of the world knew little about the difference between HIV and AIDS, so the prevalent assumption was that Johnson would soon be dead, a victim of his own excesses and a disease no one could survive.

But, 20 years later, Johnson is a healthy, thriving entrepreneur who has helped save thousands of lives.

“Twenty years,” Johnson told a Staples Center audience on Monday in commemorating his original announcement. “Twenty years. Wow. It’s hard to believe. Yet here we are.”

Just like Johnson promised on that dreadful day in 1991.

He was speaking at the Magic Johnson Foundation’s 20-year celebration of the work he has done to put a face on HIV/AIDS and to destigmatize the disease. At the time, many believed HIV/AIDS was merely a plague on the gay community, but Johnson has helped spread the message that anyone in the general populace can be at risk.

During the festivities Monday, Johnson presented his foundation with a check for $1 million, which came from 40 philanthropists who had pledged $25,000 apiece.

But 20 years ago to the day, celebrating was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind.

While the media gathered at The Forum for Johnson’s announcement, thousands of Lakers fans got together in the parking lots: Some were crying, some were wandering aimlessly. And some simply refused to believe their idol was going to die — much like Magic himself.

“I’m going to beat this,” he told the media as he was getting ready to wrap up that news conference, “and I’m going to be around to bug you guys (in the media) for a long time.”

But many, including his closest friends, struggled to believe that Magic could live up to his nickname against the most difficult opponent he would ever face.

“I was really very ignorant about all of it,” Lakers owner Jerry Buss, one of Johnson’s closest friends, said Monday. “So at that particular time it seemed like I was going to lose my best friend. I think everybody felt the same way. Later, after doing more reading about it and talking to him, you realized that a day like this was going to be possible 20 years later.

“You also can’t underestimate what he’s done for people who’ve come down with HIV/AIDS. I think if you could look at the overall statistics, you’d find that he’s responsible for saving a lot of lives. Not only now, but in the future as well.”

Johnson’s foundation has raised more than $15 million since 1991 and has set up HIV/AIDS testing programs and computer labs in 17 underprivileged communities throughout the United States. But he’s quick to point out that the fight will never end.

“We need to convince people to get tested. And even when they do, a lot of them never go back for their results,” he said. “That has to change, especially in the black and brown communities throughout the country. We’ve seen the instances of getting HIV come down, but just slightly.”

Johnson believes more emphasis must be placed on prevention and safe sex, because the numbers of teens having sex has increased.

Dr. David Ho, Time Magazine’s 1996 Man of the Year and one of the leading HIV/AIDS researchers, has worked closely with Johnson’s foundation.

He summed up the state of the disease in one chilling sentence: “It’s still a plague in this country and around the world.”

That said, many believe even more advancements can be made with Johnson in the forefront of the fight against the disease and promoting research for a cure.

“I don’t doubt that for a second,” said Pat Riley, a former Lakers coach and now president of the Miami Heat, who was joined at Monday’s event by such Lakers greats as Jerry West, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, Bill Sharman and Kurt Rambis, as well as Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa. “Earvin is such a high-energy, positive individual that he will keep fighting for a cure. That, you can believe.

“At the news conference (in 1991) when he said he was going to beat this thing, and everyone cringed and said he isn’t going to beat anything, well, here he is 20 years later. It’s an energy, a special king of energy that comes from the Man he believes in most — the Lord. That’s how he believes he’s gotten this far.

“It’s just such an amazing day and I love him dearly and am happy to be here. Hopefully in 20 years — when I’ll be 86 years old — we’ll all be here again and he and Dr. Ho can talk about more progress. ”

Earvin “Magic” Johnson brought 12 years of dazzling play to a nation and five NBA championships to Los Angeles. He was as good as it gets as a basketball player.

“None of that compares to what he’s done for the people who are afflicted with this disease and the underprivileged kids throughout the country,” West said. “He was a great player, but he’s a much better human being.”

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