50 Years After Stepping Away From First Love, Magic Johnson Details His Father’s Life Changing Tactic: “I Cried Man”

Magic Johnson’s father made him part ways with his first love! During his high school days, Johnson was not focused solely on basketball. He was a top-tier athlete in another sport. Fortunately enough, Johnson switched his attention at the right time to become one of the legends NBA has ever witnessed.

During a recent interview, he was asked about his life before the NBA and what other sports he played back then.

Magic Johnson had to make a tough decision

Magic Johnson played football until he entered high school. He played both tight end and defensive end. Johnson was in the huddle with his gear on. That’s when Johnson was knocked on his helmet by his dad and his basketball coach. They told him to return his equipment and leave the team, revealed the 64-year-old.

The main reason his dad wanted him to leave football was because the season ran three weeks into basketball season. So they knew that he could not miss three weeks of basketball and then come back to the team.

He said, “I cried, man”, showing his sadness about having to leave his first love. Johnson went to every game of the football season that year. However, after some time had passed, and he was playing basketball, the Lakers’ legend told his dad that he had made the right choice by making him choose basketball. 

Magic Johnson’s life after high school

It’s been 50 years since then. Johnson had a very successful basketball career in high school. Following this, he was given a scholarship from the University of Michigan. In Michigan, he rose to stardom and developed his game to be one of the best at the NBA level. Being a point guard at 6’6 gave him supernatural abilities that most teams were not prepared to face at the time.

Being taller allowed him to see over the rest of the opposition to give them pixel-perfect passes. With his flashiness and technique, he transitioned the Lakers to new heights, and they were eventually dubbed the ‘showtime Lakers’. He went on to win five championships with the Lakers.

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However, after all these years, Magic Johnson’s romance with football still seems to remain fresh. His investment group has recently acquired the Washington Commanders of NFL, helping Johnson complete a full circle.

As the NFL season kicks off, Johnson will be having a busy time re-living his childhood tryst with the Commanders. Do you think the Washington Commanders would be able to add some more joy by getting their hands on the glassware? Let us know in the comments below.

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