Magic Johnson’s HIV activism has been relentless through all these years. Over three decades ago, the NBA champion made a brave decision to reveal that he was HIV positive. Following this, he retired from the league in 1991. Fans were heartbroken. This was even more devastating for Johnson’s parents which left his mother with just one wish. A wish that had the 5x NBA champion failing to hold back his emotions. 

Appearing on the show, Raising Fame with Lucille O’Neal and Sonya Curry, Magic Johnson’s mother recalled getting emotional and erratic upon learning the truth. “My heart just dropped,” she says after revealing that she heard the news from her husband. The next moment, without a destination in mind, she got in her car. After dropping by a friend’s place and a mindless drive, as Christine tried to digest it all, she just had one thing to chant – let her son live. 

“I just prayed and I said Lord just don’t let my son die I said don’t let him die. I just kept praying and I went back home and we told the kids so they start crying and everything and it took everything out of me,” Christine explained.

A teary-eyed Johnson watched his mother emotionally make the raw confession in the clip shown to him by Ms. O’Neal and Ms. Curry. “That day was a tough day” Johnson recalled.

It was in 1991 that Johnson announced the news to the world through the media. He had just led the Lakers to five championships, was at the peak of his career, and was slated to make it to the Olympics next year. He thus recalls it to be the longest drive back home. His wife of only two months, Cookie, waiting therein, would be first to know, and seemingly after which, he explained his situation to his father over a call.

Christine, who was out of the house at the time, returned home to find her husband still in bed, which was unusual. It was the news he relayed then, that shifted her world. Mrs. Johnson recalled how she had called her son to ask him to leave for a place where no one knew him. However, the Los Angeles Lakers legend decided against it because it was his mother who had taught him not to run away from problems.

Magic Johnson recalls standing up for the cause

He did retire from the league but returned for the All-Star game, winning the MVP honor. The whole experience felt like a death sentence for the 3x champion but with the help of advanced medicine and a little more from the family in the form of support, Johnson survived it all. 

The 5x NBA champ is the face of HIV and continues to raise awareness. He is now the biggest Health advocate. Both Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson were honored with the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award for their contribution. Former United States President Barack Obama also shared a special message at the event to honor Johnson and his wife’s contribution. 

None of that would have happened if he had not made the announcement that day. “I had to stand there stand up because there’s more people like me who would get devastating news I’ve never ran away from a situation that’s not who I am they didn’t build me like that I was not going to be defeated that’s not who I am,” Johnson said in the show. He not only broke the HIV stigma among the people but also inspired the rest of the world. 

“We’ve been educating people about HIV and AIDS, we’ve been caring for people, making sure they had housing. All those things are important to us,” Johnson said at the 4th annual Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS. Johnson is not yet done. With the same charming smile, he continues to extend his kindness to people who need it.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.