“A Lot of People Offered Me Money”: Young Magic Johnson Refused “Big Bags” Because of His Inspiring Father and Love for Family

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).

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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.”

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