On November 9, 1991, Magic Johnson, one of the most beloved athletes in all of professional sports, announced his retirement from the NBA in conjunction with the shocking revelation that he was HIV positive. The tearful press conference from the 5-Time NBA champion will forever live on in the annals of history as a groundbreaking moment in pop culture and the dreaded 'AIDS Epidmic' of the 90s. In the five years that followed Magic's announcement, AIDS would go to claim the lives of iconic celebrities such as Freddie Mercury and Eazy-E. Not only did Magic Johnson outlive his famous contemporaries, but he also thrived as a businessman, an on-air personality, and as an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness. At the age of 63, the Los Angeles Lakers legend continues to defy conventional wisdom, as he has remained relatively healthy for over 30 years. The former cornerstone of the Lakers' "Showtime Era" recently became a trending topic on social media when rumors began to circulate that he donated blood to kids (via Red Cross) during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hearsay stems from a viral photo of Magic having his blood drawn from a practitioner named Dr. David Ho. When the man whom many consider to be the greatest point guard of all time was made aware of the speculation, he took to social media to address his fans directly.
"I’m aware of the false story circling the internet, and to be clear, I have never donated blood," Tweeted the 6'9 floor general.
According to reports, the controversial photo of Magic having his blood drawn is nearly 10 years old. The Laker great reportedly had his blood drawn for lab testing during the making of a documentary.
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Source: Black Enterprise
