Magic Johnson’s career was ended when he tested positive for HIV. It has now been 26 years since his initial diagnosis, and he plans to go on living for a “long time.” There is more to his story that simply the disease. Read on to find the full story, it will surprise you:
His Foundation
These days, Magic Johnson is famous for his philanthropy work “to fight HIV/AIDS through grantmaking.” He founded the Magic Johnson Foundation back in 1991. Through this charity organization, the star helps develop programs and support education, social and health needs of diverse communities. However, there’s more to him than just his charity work.
His Foundation
Big Announcement
When Magic Johnson first came forward to announce he had HIV, it became huge news all across the United States. At the time, he joined a small number of men known to have contracted the disease from heterosexual relations. Thus, it’s no surprise that ESPN named this the 7th most memorable moment in 2004 from the past 25 years! Lots of people celebrated the star. Former President George H.W. Bush called Magic Johnson a hero.
Big Announcement
Rivalry
Although Magic Johnson had a bit of a rivalry during the 80’s with NBA star Larry Bird, the two seemed to put that aside. In fact, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird formed a special bond. During Larry Bird’s retirement ceremony, Johnson surprised Bird by showing off a Celtics jersey.
Rivalry
Michigan Native
Where did this basketball star come from? Well, Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1959. Besides working two part-time jobs, his dad also was a GM assembly worker. Johnson’s mother worked as a school custodian.
Michigan Native
Mom Didn’t Like Nickname
Earvin Johnson became Magic while he was a sophomore at Everett High School. Everyone was wowed by his basketball skills and the nickname Magic caught on. However, his mother did not like ‘Magic’ as a nickname. Since she considered herself a devout Christian, she saw the word ‘Magic’ as blasphemous.
Mom Didn’t Like Nickname
Taking Up Basketball
Becoming a basketball player wasn’t that wild for Johnson, considering his family. Actually, basketball was his family’s favorite sport. His parents and his older brother all played basketball. Most of the time, people saw Johnson dribbling a ball or playing in the local courts.
Taking Up Basketball
Coin Flip
Hard to believe, but a simple coin clip ended up defining Magic Johnson’s career. During the 1979 NBA Draft 22 teams chose amateur players from American universities. By chance, the LA Lakers won the coin flip. That’s when they went for Magic Johnson. If they hadn’t won the coin flip, Johnson would have gone to the Chicago Bulls.
Coin Flip
Discouraging Dwight Howard
Sadly, Dwight Howard didn’t receive the encouragement he was expecting when he met his idol, Magic Johnson. At the time, Howard was only 15 but dreamt of becoming a famous basketball player. Johnson told the 15 year old he was “too little and too skinny” to ever become an NBA star. Luckily, Dwight Howard persevered and proved him wrong. He’s consistently ranked as one of the top in league.
Discouraging Dwight Howard
Facing Racism
Due to the American desegregation busing policy, Magic Johnson attended a predominantly white high school called Everett. Sadly, he faced a lot of racism, even on the basketball court. At times, his teammates wouldn’t even pass him the pass! They would ignore him, and he often got into fights with other players. Eventually, he accepted it and he now sees this as one of the best things that he experienced.
Facing Racism
Growing Net Worth
Despite retiring in 1991, the star’s net worth only increased upon his retirement. He transitioned from basketball to business. Magic Johnson even invested early in Starbucks before it became world famous. He ended up selling his interest in more than 100 franchises for a whopping $27 million. Some estimate his net-worth at $400 million more than when he was playing basketball.
Growing Net Worth
Rookie Record
Magic Johnson has made history in many ways. Did you know he’s the only rookie that has won the NBA Finals MVP award? During game six of the finals when the Lakers faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Lakers were missing the incredible Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because of injury. Despite this, Magic shined and scored 42 points. Plus, he had 15 rebounds, 3 steals and 7 assists. Thus, he got the MVP for the 1980 NBA finals.
Rookie Record
Family Life
Back in 1991, Magic Johnson married Eatlitha “Cookie” Kelly. The two wed in a small ceremony in Lansing, Michigan. They had a son named Earvin III in 1992 and adopted Elisa in 1995. In addition, Magic has his son Andre Johnson from a previous relationship.
Family Life
EJ Johnson
Magic Johnson’s son Earvin III has enjoyed the spotlight himself. He’s openly gay and also starred on numerous reality shows. Most notably, he was part of the E! show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. He also had his own spin-off show, EJNYC. Earvin worked as a commentator for E! News as well.
EJ Johnson
MVP
During the 1992 All-Star game, Magic Johnson was voted as a starter despite his retirement announcement. This legend scored 25 points, a game-high and got a last-second three-pointer. After his impressive showdowns with Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas, he truly earned the title of MVP awarded to him for that game.
MVP
After Retirement
From Magic Johnson Enterprises, reportedly worth $1 billion, to working as a commentator on NBC, Magic Johnson has kept busy off the courts. Additionally, he wrote a book about safe sex. He’s very involved in Democratic political campaigns as well. Johnson created a special pre-paid MasterCard in order to help those with low income save money. Basically, there’s nothing this business guru and retired player hasn’t ventured into!
After Retirement
Head Coach
Back in 1994, the Lakers were looking to replace their head coach Randy Pfund. Thus, Magic Johnson came in as the new head coach. First, things were looking up. The team won five out of the six first games with Johnson. Then they lost five games and Magic resigned as coach.
Head Coach
Back From Retirement
Alas, Magic Johnson decided to come back from retirement for a final and third time to join the Lakers for another season. After an intense workout, he played his first comeback game on January 30, 1996. The Lakers were playing the Golden State Warriors. Johnson was 36 at the time. He averaged 14.6 points. After those 32 regular season games, he retired from the NBA once and for all.
Back From Retirement
Projects Abroad
Johnson did however join the Swedish club team, M7 Borås and was undefeated for five games. Also, he became a part-owner of them, but the project ended up failing. Later on, Johnson joined The Great Danes, a Danish team.
Projects Abroad
Lakers Part Owner
Before those adventures in Scandinavia, he became a minority owner of the Lakers. In 1994, he allegedly paid about $10 million for a four percent stake in the Lakes. Thus, he became a Lakers minority owner before he sold his share to Patrick Soon-Shiong in 2010. However, he continued on as an unpaid VP before coming back in 2017 as an advisor to Jeanie Buss.
Lakers Part Owner
Tallest
Of course, you know Magic Johnson is a tall player. Maybe you didn’t realize he’s actually the tallest player to officially play point guard. Johnson is 6’9″! Usually, players that tall are frontcourt players. However, he utilized his size, a guard’s ball handling skills and one-on-one skills as a swingman to dominate on the court.
Tallest
Meeting With Lebron
In July 2018, it came out that Magic Johnson was a huge influence on Lebron James and his decision to sign a four year $154 million contract with the Lakers. Apparently, Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the Lakers, met with Lebron James when he became a free agent. Allegedly, the connection between Magic Johnson and Lebron James sealed the deal.
Meeting With Lebron
Close Relationship
Magic Johnson was very close with Jerry Buss, the former Lakers owner. In fact, Johnson even referred to him as a second father and also best friend. He spent give hours with Buss at the hospital only months before Buss died of cancer in 2013. Only hours after Buss passed, Johnson told the media, “Without Dr. Jerry Buss, there is no Magic.”
Close Relationship
Dream Team
Perhaps, you remember the 1992 Dream Team or United States’ men’s basketball team at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Out of his whole basketball career, Magic Johnson called that moment his best. He said, “The 92 Dream Team was the greatest moment of my life in terms of basketball, bar none.” The team took home the gold and was the first ever American Olympic team to have active NBA players.
Dream Team
Extraordinary
How many other NBA players can say they led their team to five NBA titles? That’s right Johnson helped his team win five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and then again in 1988. His skills as a guard proved almost impossible to live up to on the basketball court.
Extraordinary
Music Fan
Besides playing basketball, Magic Johnson loves listening to music and also dancing! He said, “I’m the biggest music lover in the world. I mean, I have seen everybody. I went on tour with Michael Jackson and the Jacksons four or five times.” Also, he created his own record label with MCA Records-Magic John Music because what hasn’t he done?
Music Fan
Young Star
Things were promising from a young age with Magic Johnson. In his senior year of high school, he averaged 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game. His school, Lansing Everett, won the state championship too! By then, Johnson earned two All-State selections, and he was named part of McDonald’s All-American team in 1977.
Young Star
Working Hard
As a kid, he looked up to players like Marques Haynes, Earl Monroe and Bill Russell. In his neighborhood, everyone called Magic Johnson either ‘Junior’ or ‘June Bug.’ He would get to the basketball court by 7:30 am most mornings and practice the whole day. Johnson dribbled with his right hand and then back with his left.
Working Hard
Playing With The President
When President Obama turned 49th in 2010, he organized a basketball pickup game with pro and college stars. Of course, Magic Johnson was there and got to join the rest of the legends. Obama’s guest list included stars like, Grant Hill, Chauncey Billups, David West, Dwayne Wade, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Bill Russell, Maya Moore and more. Also Kobe Bryant was allegedly there but did not play.
Playing With The President
Many Partners
After his public announcement that he contracted HIV, Johnson came forward with some more personal information. He admitted to sleeping with between 300 and 500 people before the diagnosis. Apparently, he would bring women into the locker room sauna. He brought them there before and after games and press conferences.
Many Partners
Failed Comeback
That comeback he attempted in the 1992-93 season was actually thwarted by some of the best players. Apparently, Johnson was hurt and has since said, “if I knew what I know now, I wouldn’t have retired.” However, he retired in order to not hurt the game.
Failed Comeback