Last year, Magic Johnson shared a heartwarming post on Instagram for his father and described him to be his “role model”. The 63-year-old stated that every time he has been asked about his idols, the typical answer has been“it started at home”. Johnson added that his father was his first hero who helped cultivate a work ethic that the 5-time champion would later put to practice, and reap the benefits of, in different industries.

In his recent appearance on ‘Showtime Basketball’, Magic Johnson revealed that he turned down the “big bags” of cash after a successful stint at Michigan State University.

Magic Johnson shares why he turned down offers

Magic was excited to narrate the story as he sat on the edge of his seat. He recalled, “A lot of people offered me money“. However, his father, who was a constant source of life lessons for the champion, advised him not to take the money. Earvin Johnson Sr. said, “We are not taking no money,” and magic quietly obliged.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend also recalled that the young Johnson made a deliberate decision to stay close to his family in Michigan. He wanted his family to continue visiting and watching his games (they hadn’t missed a single one).

Read More: “Ain’t No Way”: Celtics Legend Exposes a Magic Johnson Story Showing the Crude and Competitive Side of the Lakers Hall of Famer

Top Stories

Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers Teammate Arrested Again As Arizona Court Issues Verdict On Order Violation

Did Zion Williamson Slide Into Sydney Sweeney’s DMs? Fact Checking the Viral Screenshot

Anthony Edwards Breaks Silence On Wolves HC Chris Finch Ejection After Win vs OKC

Bucks Eyeing $97M NBA Guard To Help Giannis Antetokounmpo, As Per Reports

Shaquille O’Neal Drops Verdict On Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua After Round 6 KO

The 12-time All-Star admitted that he was a “mama’s boy”. Moreover, he loved his mother and he just couldn’t give up her “fried chicken” too soon!

Johnson reveals a crucial life lesson from his dad

Before Magic Johnson became the Magic Johnson, he was a boy who helped his father in hauling trash. In an earlier interview, he recalled that he just wanted to finish his share of the job owing to the extremely cold weather. “So I ran out of the truck, picked up some of the trash, then ran back in“, he recalled.

Johnson’s father made it into a teachable moment. He dragged Magic out and said, “If you do your life halfway, that’s how you’ll practice basketball, that’s how you’ll do your homework—you’ll always be a person who doesn’t finish the job.”

Watch This Story: Luka Doncic Surpasses Lakers Legend Magic Johnson; Second Only to Oscar Robertson in Iconic NBA Record

Magic Johnson remembered this moment to be a defining moment in his life. “That day, that moment, changed my life“, confessed Johnson.