Muhammad Ali’s “Challenge” Broke Magic Johnson’s Restraints Only to Trigger Unmatched Legacy: “He Wanted Me to…”

Magic Johnson’s friendship with Muhammad Ali was initially a dream for the Los Angeles Lakers champion. Good relationships are not created overnight, but it takes a lot of love and admiration to form one. Well, Johnson has always supported the boxing legend from his childhood, but now, he is in a position to keep his legacy alive. The 3x champion spoke about it today on his social media, revealing the unexpected challenges that Ali put forth for him. This was when he knew his friendship with Ali was a special one. 

Johnson wrote an emotional note on his social media handle today. He penned, “My father and I would listen to all of Muhammad Ali’s fights on the radio when I was younger. I’m still shocked that one of my childhood heroes and favorite athletes became one of my good friends because there’s no one like Muhammad Ali.” You dream of a few things to happen. Johnson’s close bond with Ali is beyond a dream, as he never expected it. It all took a surprising turn after Ali called the NBA icon to meet him personally in Chicago. 

The 12x All-Star explained, “Out of all our memories, what will always stand out to me was when Muhammad Ali told me to meet him in Chicago to tell me he wanted me to be more than just a basketball player. It challenged me to think beyond the court.” Ali was more than a sensational boxer. His influence was not limited to the ring. He was first a human, before a legend. 

And that is why, he always fought for the deserving and underprivileged people all his life. Anyhow, he did not want to do that alone. Then came Magic Johnson, who admired Ali’s “activism and advocacy for the good of humanity”, to give him a helping hand.

This added role is what Johnson did not dream of! On top of all this, Magic Johnson also holds a special honor under the name of Muhammad Ali, which is not just given but earned. 

Magic Johnson’s special honor from Muhammad Ali in a Black Tie event 

In 2018, Magic Johnson recalled another favorite moment, when he got the Sports Illustrated Sports Person Legacy Award in 2014. A few basketball legends like Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James have earned this too. However, Johnson was the first NBA icon to receive this honor. 

The award was first named the Sports Person Legacy Award and later changed to the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. This was done so because ‘Sports Illustrated’ believed Ali fit the description best for an influential sports star. Anyhow, Johnson got this honor before it was renamed. Notably, he got it directly from the boxing legend, which is why this award is close to his heart.

This is Magic Johnson’s story from being a fanboy of Ali to becoming a close friend. What are your thoughts/reflections on the story? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More: “He Was Special Because My Father, We Used to Go to the Theater…”: Magic Johnson Shares His Fondest Muhammad Ali Memories