On November 7, 1991, a 32-year-old Magic Johnson announced his own death sentence. Announcing his HIV-positive status was no less than a death warrant back then. Those who watched Johnson’s announcement on television would remember him saying, “Because of the HIV virus that I have attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers.” Sadness, shock and admiration was seen among fans. But there was another affect. The day after Magic Johnson made the announcement, calls to testing centers nearly doubled.

While Johnson retired in 1991, he returned the next year as he was voted into the All-Star game by fans. Further, Commissioner David Stern at the time allowed Magic to stay as a part of the 1992 Olympics ‘Dream Team‘. But the man who inspired millions was also in need of support. He was not prepared to take on new challenges after staying away from the sport for a while. And that’s where Michael Jordan helped him.

Magic Johnson’s wife, Cookie Johnson, revealed in her book ‘Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith’ that the Chicago Bulls legend played a major part in Magic Johnson coping with his disease.

“Michael, in particular, took him in like a brother, and when I witnessed the two of them together, I would get teary watching them laugh and joke and be normal. Around them, Earvin’s sickness was irrelevant; it didn’t exist. It was just him, basketball, and the fellas again. It was the best thing anybody could have ever done for him, and for that, I’m so grateful,” wrote Magic Johnson’s wife.

Why did Johnson share his diagnosis with the world? It was Elizabeth Glaser who urged him to go public with his diagnosis. Glaser, Paul Michael Glaser’s wife, had contracted HIV from a blood transfusion. Magic Johnson was thankful to her for nudging him in the right direction. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush even recruited the NBA star for a seat on the National Commission on AIDS. While the athlete later resigned because of disagreement, his involvement brought a lot of attention.

How NBA rivals helped Magic Johnson!

Along with Michael Jordan, players like Larry Bird and Charles Barkley also played a part in making Magic feel at home. Barkley played physical defense against Magic in the 1992 All-Star game which showed the fans that he was not afraid to play with Magic Johnson. Back then, there were several misconceptions about HIV. Many feared contracting it via casual social contact. However, seeing athletes playing with and against Magic Johnson sent a big message.

“… the willingness of Detroit forward Dennis Rodman and Philadelphia power forward Charles Barkley to square up against him, hip to hip, chest to chest, sweat against sweat, completely dispelling that notion that fear should factor into playing Magic hard in the paint,” wrote Cookie Johnson in her book.

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While there were many who supported Johnson’s return to the court, there were people who opposed. When he tried a comeback with the Lakers in 1992, Karl Malone, reportedly said, “They can’t tell you that you’re not at risk.” At that time Malone was the a power forward for the Utah Jazz. He was also Johnson’s teammate on the United States Dream Team at the 1992 Olympics.

Today, Magic Johnson is 64 years old. And his wife is his rock. “To have Cookie’s support, it made it easier for me to tell the world,” shared the retired NBA star amidst their achievement in September 2023- receiving the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award.

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