Despite Having the Virus That Causes AIDS, Johnson Returns to the NBA - Much Has Changed

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

A news feature recounts Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s return to the NBA on January 30, after more than four years of retirement, highlighting his 1991 announcement that he had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The article explains how early public reactions and misconceptions about HIV evolved, driven by Johnson and others. It describes sidelights such as Arthur Ashe’s and Greg Louganis’s later disclosures, and summarizes how education, new drugs, and changing attitudes allow HIV-positive athletes to live active, longer lives.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

MAGIC IS BACK

Sidelights

MAGIC RETURNS

Exploding Myths

Much Has Changed

Hopes to Inspire Others

Despite Having theVirus That CausesAIDS,JohnsonReturns to the NBA 10S ANGELES,Calif.—For millionsof basketball fans inLA and across thecountry,all is rightwith the world onceagain.Their hero has returned. On the night of January 30,after retir-ing from pro basketball for more than fouryears,Earvin“Magic”Johnson once againstepped onto the floor of the Los AngelesForum wearing LA Lakers number 32. It was as if Superman had come to lifeon the basketball court.Few fans had everexpected Magic to play pro basketballagain.But here he was—looking muchlike the Magic of old.In just 27 minutes ofplaying time,Magic scored 19 points,hadten assistsand grabbed eight rebounds.t 1991 Retirement In 1991,Magic suddenly announcedthat he was retiring from the Lakersbecause he had contracted HIV—the virusthat causes AIDS. The announcement stunned the nation.How could Magic Johnson,a basketballhero,a player who had led the Lakers tofive world championships,contract thedeadly virus?Many people believed thatonly homosexuals and drug users couldcontract HIV.Magic said that he was nei-ther.Somehow people believed that some-one like Magic couldn't get the AIDSvirus.But Magic told them otherwise. # CURRENT EVENTS MAGIC IS BACK AP/Wida World Pholos Earvin“Mogik”Johnson contemplates a move on o opponent during lis comebodk game Janoory 30. It was as ifSuperman hadcome to life onthe basketballcourf "If it can strike me,Magic Johnson,"thebasketball star told millions watching his1991 news conference,"then it can strikeanyone." At the time,Magic felt that he had nochoice but to retire.Doctors told him thatthe high physical stress caused by playingin the NBA might weaken his body'simmune system and hasten the onset ofAIDS.(HIV can remain in the bloodstreamfor years before AIDS symptoms appear.) ## Sidelights ●HIVis not normally a subjectfor the sports pages.But in recentyears,two prominent athletesbesides Magic have publiclyannounced that they were infectedwith thevirus that causes ATDS: ●In 1991,U.S.tennis star Arthur Ashe (photo below)told the world that he was HIV-pos- itive.Ashe learned that he was infected aftera 1988 blood transfu- sion.The first blackto win the U.S.Open,Ashe —AP/Wide Word Pholos never gave up or fell into self-pity.He threw himself into a campaignto educate the public about how toavoid HIV.He sparked efforts toraise the millions of dollars need-ed for AIDS research.In Decemberof 1992,Ashe made a stirringspeech to the United NationsGeneral Assembly about the need toconquer AIDS.He died one monthlater from an AIDS-related illness. ●One year ago,on Feb.20,1995, U.S.Olympic diver Greg Louganis (left) announced that he test- 6 ed HIV-posi- tive at the time of the 1988 Olympic games,but 5 didn't tell anyone.At those games,on hisway to getting two gold medals,hehit his head on a diving board andblood dripped into the pool.Louganis's disclosure sparked adebate over whether or not HIV-positive Olympic athletes shouldbe required to disclose they havethe virus. aURRENTEVBNTS ISSN0011-3492-Coprieto1996byWadlyRaody Coporofon.Curet Eniso fbdaroy rd rodemorkof Wosby RaddCorporofion.Baoheond EdioridOhos:245LongHil Rood,PO Bok 291,Mdddomm,CTQ6457-9291.Second das podoge pod a Don Nweney,ondodmondny.Forhl annt d fhoungy,sbucipion,and odd conedon noliod,e ToodarsGbtoha ae ## MAGIC RETURNS continved from poge one In the last few years,much haschanged in how the NBA,and our societyin general,treats people who have theAIDS virus.People are much more edu-cated now about the real risks involved inhow the virus is spread.Much of thateducation is due to efforts spearheaded byMagic himself. Magic has helped spread the word thatpeople who are HIV-positive can,if theytake care of themselves,live normal livesfor longer periods of time.New drugs alsohelp people with the virus delay the onsetof AIDS.During his retirement,Magic hastaken good care of his health.In fact,hetell

FAQs

Why did Magic Johnson retire in 1991?

He announced he was retiring from the Lakers after contracting HIV, describing it as the virus that causes AIDS and explaining that physical stress might weaken the body’s immune system and hasten onset.

What misconceptions about HIV transmission does the article address?

It states that myths were exploded, including the idea that HIV could be transmitted by breathing the same air, drinking from the same cup, or playing on the same court.

Which other athletes are mentioned as disclosing HIV-related status?

The article highlights Arthur Ashe, who disclosed being HIV-positive in 1991, and Greg Louganis, who announced in 1995 that he tested HIV-positive at the 1988 Olympics.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel