On 7 November 1991 basketball superstar Marvin Magic Johnson was known to be infected with the HIV. A monumental moment for the US company, the NBA and not least for Johnson himself.
Before Magic Johnson turned on that autumn day in a memorable TV statement to the US population, had expressed no celebrities publicly taboo topic AIDS — let alone national Novembers icons.
Then HIV still adhered to the stigma of a typical homosexual or bisexual disease. Johnson, who later admitted having been infected with one of his many affairs, took his statement a pioneering role. It was he who gave a taboo in public disease a face.
Then his revelation came like a death sentence. We all thought that Magic was going to die, said his former teammate James Worthy later recalled.
Johnson himself, known for his endearing toothpaste smile and his contagious optimism, but was always combative. I will devote to the fight against this deadly diagnosis my life. I will defeat it. We ll see you again, he had announced his statement at the end.
The then 32-year-old also urged other sufferers to become not to give up the life. That same year, the power forward created the Magic Johnson Foundation to fight HIV.
Magic Johnson dialed while retired All-Star team in the NBA
In 1992, the All-Star Game of the NBA to the stage of the first success for Johnson in the fight against the virus. Although he was officially retired, the fans voted him into the starting five of the Western Conference.
What followed was one of the most memorable performances in the history of All-Star Weekend at all. After a gala performance with 25 points Johnson was elected for the second time All-Star MVP.
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Emotional highlight: After the Lakers star sank a triple just before the end, the members included him of both teams on the court in his arms.Johnson s triumph culminated in the same year. Together with the legendary Dream Team he won alongside Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Charles Barkley in Barcelona the Olympic gold medal.
With spectacular performances, the US ensured icons boom basketball for a world onset.
NBA stars do not want a comeback by Magic Johnson
Despite this remarkable success, the league comeback was slow in coming several years of Johnson.
Teammate including responsible Karl Malone, in Barcelona nor of Magic — — to Olympia, numerous pros made due to the supposedly high risk of infection, against a return of five-time NBA champions strong.
Johnson stated, not wanting to hurt the game, and withdrew from the initially active competitive Novembers back.
However, not on the field, but on the bench — followed in 1994 in spite of all the return to the NBA circus. Johnson was coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, his former team.
However, the brief interlude lasted just 16 games. The Lakers missed the playoffs. After this disappointment, the 2.06-meter giant admitted the coach chair again.
Magic Johnson: Listen to my conditions
But still the thoroughbred basketball player did not have enough. In the 1995/1996 season, Johnson, the legendary Lakers jersey grazed at the age of 36 years once again on the back number 32nd
After the early playoff out against the Houston Rockets, he then told his final resignation: I quit on my terms, it could be no question in my 1992 aborted comeback.
Meanwhile, the now 59-year-old is a successful entrepreneur. Since 2017 he also serves as president of the Lakers. Johnson is committed to continue for the prevention of HIV and promotes safe sex.
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