Magic Johnson and How He Became More Than a Basketball Player

Fifteen years ago today, Earvin "Magic" Johnson held a press conference announcing that he had contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and forever changed the way HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is seen. Before Johnson's revelation, HIV/AIDS was perceived more as a homosexual disease. However, Johnson, a basketball player loved by the world for his entertaining execution of winning NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s changed that perception and in the process became more than a basketball player. Even though Johnson took a step down the pedestal many held him high in, Johnson became something better. He became a man.

No longer was Johnson something that us regular citizens can only think of as an ideal, something abstract and not tangible to us. On this day 15 years ago, Johnson showed that bad things happen to people that we consider special and above things only us "normal" people are susceptible to. Johnson admitted to the world that he had contracted a disease that many were ignorant of and, honestly, scared to think about. Johnson showed that he was human afterall.

And because of that, we wanted to learn more about HIV/AIDS.

It's sad that it took a popular sports athlete to make most people break out from that shell of ignorance and get educated about the disease, but that's the way the world works. Athletes get paid millions, while teachers get paid pennies to the athlete's dollar. That's just the way it is. So, for Johnson to go on television and say that he contracted the virus and turn the world upside down and shatter the stereotype of invincible sports hero was probably the only way people were going to wake up, smell the coffee, and care about HIV/AIDS because people cared about Johnson.

Since that announcement, Johnson has beaten the odds that were given to him 15 years ago. By all accounts, Johnson should not be smiling as wide as he is nowadays, the same way he did as he won an NBA Finals trophy. However, he is and he's still winning. Sure, it's not any shiny hardware that you can raise up high, but it's more substantial. Johnson, was a major part of urban renewal in cities such as New York and Los Angeles, opening up movie theatres in neighborhoods that probably never would have. He started a chain of fitness clubs and brought the retail industry into the inner city. His contributions cannot be measured in simple dollars, however.

With Johnson, things have to be measured in smiles.

Because of him, people can smile as they enjoy a movie. People can smile as they get in shape. People can smile because there neighborhood doesn't include rundown buildings, but instead something that the community can be proud of. But, the biggest smiles are coming from the people in the HIV/AIDS community - those that have contracted the disease, their families and friends, researchers trying to find a cure, the hardworking people in free clinics, and all those that make a difference everyday in the fight against the disease. Fifteen years ago, Johnson blew us away with his dreadful news with the same impact he blew us away with a lookaway pass to James Worthy running in the lane. But, on that day, we weren't smiling. We all had looks of sadness, horror, incredulity, and overall disbelief.

All of us, except Johnson.

Ever since that day 15 years ago, Johnson has been smiling and appreciating each and every moment. And he hasn't been selfish in that happiness as he's done numerous things to enrich many people's lives. Because of that, we all follow Johnson's lead and smile as well because he doesn't give us a choice. Look at Johnson and you just can't help yourself but smile when he does. I challenge you to prove me wrong.

The cure for HIV/AIDS is indeterminable at this point, but we're getting closer. And part of it was because of the wakeup call Johnson gave when he admitted he had HIV and turned himself from a basketball god into a flesh and blood human being.

There is no greater "magic" Johnson could have performed for the world.

• About HIV/AIDS
• AIDS Timeline from Aegis