“It was (the diagnosis) to be a death sentence. And it was a very difficult period because I didn’t know what could happen,” the 65-year-old businessman said to the program Negritudes, on TV Globo’s Fantásticos.
He acknowledged that when he got sick, the priority was his wife, Cookie, who was pregnant with their son, E-Jay.
“I needed to make sure they were okay. It was only later that I went to take care of myself. At that time, there was only one remedy: AZT. So today I can say I have been blessed. I look back and see how many people have died since I assumed I had the disease,” he reasoned.
The former sports star indicated that it is almost 33 years since that misfortune, “but the doctors and scientists have been doing a great job. I can say that I am a survivor,” he remarked.
In addition to fighting HIV prejudice, Magic Johnson also inspires by publicly supporting his gay son. He stressed that he had to change to accept who his offspring was and the challenge made him better as a father.
“I believe that, if you treat people with respect, you will be respected back. So I would never change if someone discriminated against me,” he said.
He insisted that “the lesson I learned is never let anyone define who you can be, who you are, or let anyone change you”.
The former player also revealed that he gives back to his community the prosperity he has earned: he helps young blacks in their studies.
He described it as wonderful to be able to travel the world and do actions that he only dreamed of before, but also that it allowed him to give back the achievements.
“I have given scholarships to more than 10,000 young blacks. So, that’s my life. It’s the balance of this success, while still caring for and impacting my community,” he stressed.
Magic Johnson had a legendary NBA career, amassing five championship titles in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
He was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, in 1987, 1989 and 1990, and also won that award in the 1980, 1982 and 1987 Finals.
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