On this day 32 years ago: Magic Johnson announced retirement

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, considered by many to be the greatest point guard in basketball history, had to announce his premature retirement from the NBA. At a press conference, he said that he made this decision because of the HIV virus.

On November 7, 1991, the shipowner of the Los Angeles Lakers called a press conference before the start of the regular season, announcing that he would no longer play. “Because of the HIV virus I contracted, I will have to announce my retirement from the Lakers,” Magic said.

7 Nov 1991: Los Angeles #Lakers#basketball Super star #Magic Johnson hosts a press conference to announce he is #HIV positive and is withdrawing from the #NBA. #Los Angeles#MagicJohnson#history#Super star#OTD#adhttps://t.co/S9b1eG6urJpic.twitter.com/x3oBlmWaRG

— Today In History (@URDailyHistory) November 7, 2023

Johnson even stated that he had never had relationships with men. During the 1990s in the United States, many believed that HIV only affected the homosexual population, and that it was an irremediable death sentence.

Such an impactful announcement from a person like Magic made many, who thought they had no chance of contracting the disease, aware of the functioning and differences between HIV and AIDS.

The Lakers athlete gave a warning, especially to younger people, about the importance of protecting themselves during sexual relations: “You think this can only happen to other people. But it happened and I will deal with it my whole life.”

In the miniseries “They Call Me Magic”, the shipowner revealed the biggest difficulty he went through when he discovered he had contracted the virus. Tell your wife, Cookie Johnsona few weeks pregnant, who was HIV positive.

11/07/1991 — Magic Johnson announces that he has HIV and retires from the LA Lakers

32 years ago, American basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson revealed to the world that he had been diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes… pic.twitter.com/XZSSehoJNF

— Journey to the Past (@viagempassado) November 7, 2023

Johnson had to interrupt his victorious career, despite the difficulties. The point guard returned to play on the 1992 USA “Dream Team” during the Olympics. He also tried to return to the Lakers in 1996, but was unable to achieve the same success as before, retiring permanently at the end of the season.