Will we heed Magic's message?

November 15, 1991
Originally published by Sacramento Bee

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr.

The Random House Dictionary defines "magic" as (1) "the art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of various techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the force of nature"; (2) "any extraordinary or irresistible influence, charm, power, etc."

When Magic Johnson stood up at 3 p.m. on Nov. 7 and so eloquently said that he would retire from the NBA because he had tested positive for the HIV virus, he began to change how most people think about AIDS. Because he has the HIV virus, maybe people now will know that anyone can be affected by AIDS--directly or indirectly.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It can be contracted in any of four ways: sexual contact with an infected partner, intravenous drug use with contaminated needles or syringes, infectious blood transfusions and by passage from infected mothers to their unborn children. There is no known cure for AIDS, although recently several drugs have been introduced to treat AIDS-related complications.

Many people are asking right now, "Why Magic?" No one can answer that question. But if anyone had to be chosen to shoot this three-pointer at the buzzer, he is spiritually the most logical. As tragic as it may seem, who better than Magic as a spokesman, mentor and role model to bring this message to the world: We must individually and collectively get this disease under control and work towards finding a cure.

As young adults, what will we do to prevent this tragedy from continuing to happen? Now that the ball has been passed on to us, we must make this important jump shot. You probably have been told this already, but if you are sexually active, make sure that you protect yourself and that your partner does the same. Don't use drugs--period.

We need to make permanent lifestyle changes and to take charge in fighting this disease so that it doesn't happen to anyone else we love and care about. Let this be a negative experience that we can turn into positive action. There is nothing we can do by talking about this ordeal, feeling sorry for Magic Johnson, and thinking that this challenge is over.

Magic Johnson has everything he ever wanted--wealth, a stellar basketball career, a dream home and never-ending adulation, but now he cannot write a check, trade his basketball career, sell his home, or take back all of his fame and autographs to cure himself of this disease. Only support from his fans, friends and family will help pull him through. Our priorities in life are something we also need to think about.

Pro basketball will never be the same without Magic. He has always been the ultimate superstar team player, but now he has a new position--the ultimate superstar--as he works to overcome this unavoidably deadly virus. By educating people about the effects of the HIV virus and the AIDS disease, he will have an unprecedented influence on our nation and around the world. Knowing that Magic has AIDS will wake us up and make all of use realize that if a basketball superstar can get AIDS, we can too. It's too bad that a catastrophe such as this had to happen to force people to take steps to protect themselves. AIDS doesn't care if you are a 6-9, 200 pound multimillion-dollar basketball player who makes headlines regularly or a scrawny 5-10, 135-pound player who can't dunk and plays in the recreational leagues.

Once more, a sports icon and hero has fallen from the ranks of prominence due to a tragedy...one that has hurt people deeply. The HIV virus has struck a player who we have come to deeply care about and love.

Somehow, we must use Magic's examples of conviciton and courage to live on, but we must also be painfully aware that any one of us could be in Magic's high-top shoes if we don't begin today to take the necessary preventative steps in protecting ourselves against this deadly disease.