CNN - Magic Johnson HIV Announcement | November 7, 1991

On November 7, 1991, Magic Johnson held a press conference announcing he would be retiring from the NBA after contracting HIV.
Here is some of what aired on CNN.
Posted for noncommercial historical preservation and educational use only.

[@onceagain9617]

This was pretty much a death sentence back then

[@Thomas-xe3ce]

"Life is gonna go on for me, and I'm gonna be a happy man."
He predicted his future perfectly when the world thought he was basically a dead man walking.

[@youarebait9609]

He has Money, It is not that Complicated. Calm Down.

[@user-lq5et8lg7f]

@@youarebait9609dude shut up you don’t know what you’re talking about😂

[@AMPFIELDVISION]

Money meant nothing back then, celebrities were dying rich with the disease ​@@youarebait9609

[@KevinDFuller94]

The class & bravery that Magic showed during what must have been an absolutely terrifying time in his life is so inspirational to me.

[@willd4731]

Interesting how they're talking about him in the past tense.

[@RebeccaRider]

Back then we all considered it a death sentence. A lot of the drugs that were developed that made a huge impact for life for HIV patients were developed BECAUSE Magic was diagnosed.

[@KevinDFuller94]

They are talking about him in the past tense because they are talking about his accomplishments.

[@glindagoodwitchofnorthview8287]

That’s because AIDS was a death sentence at the time.

[@maximusdecimusmeridius9482]

Heroic moment by Magic to take full accountability and go public about this very personal matter. He knew how impactful it would be for the world. No way to quantify how many lives he saved promoted safe sex in 1991. I met his January 2023 as he was leaving a Laker game. He was extremely kind to me and my brother and literally said “God bless y’all”. Thank you Magic for being a great example of overcoming and finding the positive in such a dark moment.

[@drmolly1313]

I looked for this video because I'm reading "Magic" by Roland Lazenby. I will never forget where I was when I heard this news and, as a Spartan myself, was pretty shook by it. What a career,, what a guy. Go Green, Magic!

[@anthonyrobinson1926]

It's ok because Jehovah God is blessing Magic Johnson in every aspect of his life. An I really love, and I really appreciate Magic Johnson for his bravery because Alot of people wouldn't have the courage to stand in front of millions of people telling them that he has HIV. Magic Johnson is a true warrior. He's strong Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually.

[@vebtinkerbellable]

Why are they saying "was" like he's dead.

[@LuckY-oz3mh]

At that time people were dying at a high rate and there wasn’t much research on HIV at that time

[@80srocknroller]

It happened before Queen's Freddie Mercury and KISS' Eric Carr passed away

[@janvdb9258]

If Freddie and company just made it another year and a half or so and major treatment options were available. Such a scary time in the 90s and early 90s

[@80srocknroller]

@@janvdb9258 Right

[@opticscolossalandepicvideo4879]

He outlived Kobe. Kobe died Unreal

[@zjjman1]

Really interesting video and cool channel

[@RochesterTVArchive]

Thank you for the positive feedback! I have much more content on the way as I am digitizing tapes around the clock.

[@jrossi91]

I guess this didn't end up being all that bad in the end

[@thesmokingtruth]

Claims he found out the day before. looks like he's feeling great and $100,000,000 richer. 🤫.

[@TA-ht4jo]

IYKYK

[@Youdoxxikill]

​@@TA-ht4jocan you elaborate? I've never heard about what you guys are hinting at

[@AMPFIELDVISION]

What are you alluding to here?