23 Years Ago Today Magic Stunned the World

[HammerDown]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbdOQUARrEU]Magic Johnson HIV announcement Part 1 - YouTube[/ame]

...with "the announcement."

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a Thursday night and I was sleeping in preparation for work that night. My Mom came in and woke me up way too early and I was very disoriented and she just kept telling me "come downstairs to watch TV." I started to go back to sleep and she said "Magic has AIDS."

 

[MrHoople]

I'm more shocked that he and his wife Cookie are still together through all that.

 

[trojanfan12]

I was pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant with my girlfriend at the time for a little late lunch/early dinner when they broke in on the radio station we were listening to with the press conference. Probably sat in the car in stunned silence for about 15 more minutes after the presser was over. Went in to the restaurant and ordered food, but barely touched it.

 

[HammerDown]

Non-Lakers fans have zero idea of how devastated LA was over this.

 

[logic]

Non-Lakers fans have zero idea of how devastated LA was over this.

I was a Lakers fan living in SD at the time. I worked in an HIV lab so understood the difference between HIV + and AIDS and how difficult it is to spread via sports type contact. Still ticks me off he was forced to retire over it.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

I thought this was going to be about the premier of his talk show?!

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

I thought this was going to be about the premier of his talk show?!

....the one howard stern ''farted'' on...?!

 

[trojanfan12]

Non-Lakers fans have zero idea of how devastated LA was over this.

I can't think of another L.A. athlete who was as loved by everyone as Magic.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

I was only 2 when it happened, so I don't remember where I was at, but hear stories from my family all the time on how hurt the city of LA was.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

This hurt Lakers trainer, Gary Vitti, til this day. Every time he tells the story, he tear up, which make me tear up.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

....the one howard stern ''farted'' on...?!

For realz? I never watched it, so I don't remember that.

I did watch Aries Spears on Mad TV doing a spoof of the Magic Johnson Show. That was hilarious.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

For realz? I never watched it, so I don't remember that.

I did watch Aries Spears on Mad TV doing a spoof of the Magic Johnson Show. That was hilarious.

I love when Aries Spears does Shaq and Charles Barkley voices.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

I love when Aries Spears does Shaq and Charles Barkley voices.

Yep, he does a really good Shaq. "Kobe bettah start gettin me tha ball..."

 

[LogicMan]

My favorite player (who I could hate only against the green). Sad day, I was actually pissed at him to be honest. His wife stayed with him tho. She is classy

 

[Arizona_Sting]

I was only 2 when it happened, so I don't remember where I was at, but hear stories from my family all the time on how hurt the city of LA was.

Damn you have a terrible memory. Dumbass baby!

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

Damn you have a terrible memory. Dumbass baby!

I was smoking too much Chronic.

 

[MrHoople]

I was smoking too much Chronic.

At 2 years old? Dammmmmmn!

 

[trojanfan12]

At 2 years old? Dammmmmmn!

LUSC didn't choose the thug life, thug life chose him.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

LUSC didn't choose the thug life, thug life chose him.

That's right! I slapped the doctor, as a newborn, for pulling my head to hard trying to get me out.

 

[tnerb57]

Non-Lakers fans have zero idea of how devastated LA was over this.

It was bad. But look at him now. Happy for the guy.