Magic was diagnosed with HIV 45 days after Cookie and Magic married, and their lives were permanently transformed. However, Magic's playing career was suddenly cut short in 1991 when he learned that he tested positive for HIV. Immediately after learning of the talented 63-year-old basketball player's passing, hundreds of fans began posting condolence notes on the Facebook page. "And he just could not stand it. While Magics decision to retire was clear enough, the implications were still rather unknown. Johnson insisted, even then, that he would be around the league and the Lakers. The year was 2010, and scarves were in. } else { Magic Johnson recounts the ugly end of his Lakers presidency Magic Johnson Bio: Children, Wife, Height, Net Worth Everything has gone right. You are our foundation and the backbone," he wrote in the caption. According to the New York Times, EJ Johnson has been open about his sexuality and perspective on gender over the past few years. Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances a person living with HIV can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. Johnson attended New York University where he studied hospitality with a focus on event planning and design, according to various different profiles. His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma - the Guardian "We were just so astonished at the things he was saying, and not just that he brought my dad into it, but the fact that he was being just blatantly racist. However, Magic revealed in that press conference that his biggest fan was less than thrilled. Michael Johnson, the son of Turner Sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson, has died, his father announced Friday night. Its a totally new mindset Im completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle. In his own way, he is becoming a fashion reference and an example for the transgender community. Magic does have a relationship with his son EJ. He was cast in the first season of E! The gender-fluid fashionista is always flaunting his amazing wardrobe. Magic Johnson's Oldest Son Andre Worked for His Company & Co-hosts a Miller is an English model . These "long-term nonprogressors" or "elite controllers," estimated at as few as one in 500, have lived for decades with HIV, despite not being on antiretroviral therapy. The son of an autoworker, Johnson earned his nickname "Magic" in high school for his creative and entertaining ballhandling. EJs mom said that her husband was worried about his son living his life in a world that would not understand him. They claimed the pair were an official item. That pretty much says all we really need to know. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". Magic Johnson abruptly quit as the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations earlier this month, and now, according to reports, it's because management sent emails criticizing . Unlike other former professional athletes' kids who have followed in their footsteps onto the court or field, Magic Johnson's children have all forged their own paths. Updated Mental health continues to be a field that we hope to understand and appreciate more. They Call Me Magic - Apple TV+ Press As I grew older, as my wife talked to me, I couldnt [judge EJ]. They should probably start highlighting people who are doing it in the streets, as opposed to whatever celebrity they're putting in a skirt for five seconds just for publicity.". section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | Magic added that he just needed more time. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. I'm just very comfortable in my own skin. Although the unfortunate response to Johnsons condition will forever be somewhat of a black mark on the NBAgranted, HIV was a mostly unknown diseaseit is interesting to look back at some of the phrases and words Johnson used during his first retirement press conference in 1991. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. Since nobody in the Johnson family had ever addressed EJ's sexual preference at that time, TMZ published the photo like it was a scoop. There's [sic] so many factors. During a period when Magic and Cookie had broken up, he dated a woman named Melissa Mitchell, with whom he had a son, Andre, on Feb. 20, 1981. Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of Magic Johnson's decision to retire from basketball upon learning he had been diagnosed with HIVone of the biggest, most impactful moments for . Magic Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know - people.com I also said I was going to beat the disease. Magic Johnson is one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. Although Johnson reacted at first, he talked to his son the next day and at that moment, they knew everything was going to be fine between them. Johnson was first called "Magic" when he was a star at Everett High School. Magic has three kids, but he and Cookie have two children together. Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas squash decades-long feud in tearful Find out why so many people want to know about the famous father-son duo and why Magic apologized to EJ several years ago. He also appeared on Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart. The Rolling Stones frontman has a huge family. Is this something that I would do?' Magic Johnson's Son Was the Executive Vice President of His Company Andre Johnson graduated in 1999 from Santa Monica College with a degree in Business Management. RELATED: See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star. Johnson remembered the devastation of his diagnosis, and said that the most difficult part was having to tell his wife Cookie -- who he had just married, and whom had just become pregnant with their child. Everyone expected his life to suffer after his diagnosis. He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. "It wasn't how he got it that was important to me. Crediting dad Magic Johnson for giving him the following advice, EJ recalled, "Make sure you check your surroundings and be you, do you, but make sure you're not putting yourself in dangerous situations where you could get hurt.". Legit.ng recently published Emily Faye Miller's biography. Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . We send our heartfelt condolences to Ernie, Cheryl and their family during this difficult time.. The second enzyme, known as protease, creates new, functional HIV particles by cutting up the proteins produced by our hijacked cellular machinery. During the NBA icon's first visit to Ellen's show, he opened up about his son, and shared his advice for other parents. Magic Johnson on movie theaters: 'I don't know how they come back' - CNBC EJ said, Its always been a struggle. 01 Mar 2023 15:17:10 EJ is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. When it was time to come out, I was, obviously, scared as most people are. When and How Did Magic Johnson Get HIV? - The Cinemaholic The average period between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and diagnosis of [] AIDS is now ten years, according to experts.. Magic Johnson's Kids: Meet The NBA Legend's 3 Children - Hollywood Life Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Magic Johnson Says He's 'So Proud' of Son EJ: 'He's Saving a Lot of Like her mom and brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. Andre also shows a lot of love for his dad on social media, as well. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. Magic Johnson has three children. All Rights Reserved. The star initially came out to his mother when he was a teenager. Magic Johnson reveals his son EJ's coming out 'changed' him EJ added, "I'm fortunate that I'm in a world where I can do what I want to do and walk down the street in whatever I want to wear and break those walls down. Today, two of the six original Magic Johnson-branded theaters remain open, in Harlem in New York City and suburban Washington, D.C., though he doesn't own either of them. "It's almost like they're attacking me for being me and so to that I can only say, 'Well, I can only be myself, so I don't know really what you want me to do,'" he said. Besides recognizing himself as a gender-fluid person, he has also been known for enjoying his lavish way of living. "I always wanted to come into the spotlight," EJ told the YouTube talk show "Gwissues" shortly after (via ESPN). But 30 years later, the NBA legend is still pursuing his passions, with Cookie by his side. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, spoke about what it was like coming out as gay to his father. 2:38 PM EDT, Sat October 30, 2021. Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. In the 1988 NBA Finals between the Pistons and the Lakers, Thomas and Johnson. Magic Johnson played in five of Los Angeles eight preseason games that year, but he officially called it quits on Nov. 3, 1992 after an outpouring of criticism and concern from players and executives around the league. We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. According to a 2021 profile of Magic, his mother, a devout Christian, felt the nickname was "blasphemous.". ", According to BET, he also recognizes how lucky he is to be able to live freely as "a young Black man in the public eye who plays with gender norms." The story of how the Lakers won a title in his first season and went on to win many more over the next decade is chronicled in HBO's latest series, 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.' I dont feel the need to transition. Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. Magic's oldest son, Andre, was born in 1981, two years after his father first joined the NBA.