FARK.com: (6713878) 20 years ago a prominent sports figure told the world he was HIV-positive. Magically, he's still here

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		20 years ago a prominent sports figure told the world he was HIV-positive. Magically, he's still here (seattletimes.nwsource.com)		44
		More: Followup, bombshells, HIV, magic, U.S. Olympic, Karl Malone, Bob Costas, Mikey Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

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44 Comments (+0 »)

Phoenix_M

2011-11-08 02:05:24 AM

I think it was a false positive & he never had HIV MJ was a well known figure in San Francisco clubs at the time... if you know what I mean there was a DJ on live 105 at the time that said he saw him all the time in various clubs all the time.

farkingismybusiness

2011-11-08 02:06:59 AM

Just hook it to my veins!

Peaceboy

2011-11-08 02:12:43 AM

Greg Giraldo said this to Flavor Flav at Flav's Comedy Central Roast, and God has since struck him dead for it: "Not only are you dark but you're skinny. You look like what Magic Johnson SHOULD look like!"

talulahgosh

2011-11-08 04:17:02 AM

i bet it's because he didn't get those evil vaccinations the government is forcing upon us.

talulahgosh

2011-11-08 04:24:23 AM

Phoenix_M: [yellowcat413.files.wordpress.com image 200x209]

I think it was a false positive & he never had HIV MJ was a well known figure in San Francisco clubs at the time... if you know what I mean there was a DJ on live 105 at the time that said he saw him all the time in various clubs all the time.

okay, i'll bite.
there are so many medications that can stave off AIDS, even if you're HIV positive for years. especially if you're rich and can afford the best treatment possible. it wasn't a false positive, i'm sure he's been tested many times. had it been a false positive, he would've said so before and gotten media attention then as well.

/because really, who wouldn't want to exclaim to the world: you know that devastating (emotionally and physically) disease that i knew would kill me? turns out the doctors were completely wrong. huzzah for me!

MorrisBird

2011-11-08 05:31:54 AM

There was nothing magical about it. Science: it works.

MidnightSkulker

2011-11-08 06:41:10 AM

I wish Freddie had had access to the same meds.

wheatpennyandaglock

2011-11-08 07:35:40 AM

isn't it Ironic that the first big time athlete to get aids is named "Majic Johnson" ?

SphericalTime

2011-11-08 07:36:26 AM

It strikes me now that he was much braver than I think I gave him credit for at the time. I can't imagine how hard it was to stand up and say that in the early 90s. And, heck, he made the lives of a lot of gay men better as well, at the same time.

bulldg4life

2011-11-08 07:51:27 AM

Charlie Freak

2011-11-08 08:12:53 AM

MidnightSkulker: I wish Freddie had had access to the same meds.

akuma976

2011-11-08 08:16:02 AM

I had his rookie card at the time and was hoping to retire off of it.....

greenbowlpacker

2011-11-08 08:22:57 AM

Dogpants

2011-11-08 08:33:44 AM

I have a relative that's had the antibody since 1988 and he's healthy as a horse. Not uncommon, as I understand it.

ChrisDe

2011-11-08 08:59:56 AM

20 years ago yesterday, subby. A day late.

Poldana

2011-11-08 09:00:19 AM

Worked for a boss with full blown AIDS. Was doing as well as Magic last I knew. He told me that without his health insurance it would cost him $2500 a month for his meds. So yeah, money has a lot to do with living a long life with AIDS.

UNC_Samurai

2011-11-08 09:14:26 AM

GimpyNip: It was twenty years ago today
Magic Johnson contracted the gay
It's Magic Johnson's lonely
Magic Johnson's lonely
Magic Johnson's lonely t-cell count

Followed by "I get HIV with a little help from my hos?"

JohnnyShotMe

2011-11-08 09:25:06 AM

Poldana: Worked for a boss with full blown AIDS. Was doing as well as Magic last I knew. He told me that without his health insurance it would cost him $2500 a month for his meds. So yeah, money has a lot to do with living a long life with AIDS.

Sounds like good medical insurance does the job just as well.

The_Homeless_Guy

2011-11-08 09:38:08 AM

talulahgosh: Phoenix_M: [yellowcat413.files.wordpress.com image 200x209]

I think it was a false positive & he never had HIV MJ was a well known figure in San Francisco clubs at the time... if you know what I mean there was a DJ on live 105 at the time that said he saw him all the time in various clubs all the time.

okay, i'll bite.
there are so many medications that can stave off AIDS, even if you're HIV positive for years. especially if you're rich and can afford the best treatment possible. it wasn't a false positive, i'm sure he's been tested many times. had it been a false positive, he would've said so before and gotten media attention then as well.

/because really, who wouldn't want to exclaim to the world: you know that devastating (emotionally and physically) disease that i knew would kill me? turns out the doctors were completely wrong. huzzah for me!

or he could have the rare gene where the receptor that HIV needs to get into the t-cells is mutated. He'll still have HIV, but won't get AIDS as his t-cell count won't drop. Given he'd have to have a viking/Scandinavian ancestor, but weirder things happen.

bigmattress

2011-11-08 09:55:41 AM

JohnnyShotMe: Poldana: Worked for a boss with full blown AIDS. Was doing as well as Magic last I knew. He told me that without his health insurance it would cost him $2500 a month for his meds. So yeah, money has a lot to do with living a long life with AIDS.

Sounds like good medical insurance does the job just as well.

Uh...you know those drugs aren't free, right? I mean, it's not out of pocket to his boss but they are getting paid for. You know that, right?

Evilsmurf

2011-11-08 10:08:34 AM

Phoenix_M: [yellowcat413.files.wordpress.com image 200x209]

I think it was a false positive & he never had HIV MJ was a well known figure in San Francisco clubs at the time... if you know what I mean there was a DJ on live 105 at the time that said he saw him all the time in various clubs all the time.

Even if he was gay (as you are implying), wouldn't that make him more likely to have contracted HIV?

bulldg4life: I'll put that one on the list behind MJ getting an 18 month gambling ban from the NBA and Stern rigging the lottery so the Knicks and Cavs get their messiah.

Way, way behind. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you must, but the "Jordan's retirement was really a suspension" thing has legs. Especially if you consider the murder of his father.

The Smails Kid

2011-11-08 10:13:31 AM

If Magic can't admit he's got AIDS, fark it, I've got herpes.

JohnnyShotMe

2011-11-08 10:23:38 AM

bigmattress: JohnnyShotMe: Poldana: Worked for a boss with full blown AIDS. Was doing as well as Magic last I knew. He told me that without his health insurance it would cost him $2500 a month for his meds. So yeah, money has a lot to do with living a long life with AIDS.

Sounds like good medical insurance does the job just as well.

Uh...you know those drugs aren't free, right? I mean, it's not out of pocket to his boss but they are getting paid for. You know that, right?

Yep. But in the context of the discussion, "money" was more towards an individual having a lot of money not the entire country. We can all survive a lot more bad things if we pay into insurance ahead of disaster. That's how it works. You know that, right?

JohnnyShotMe

2011-11-08 10:31:11 AM

wheatpennyandaglock: isn't it Ironic that the first big time athlete to get aids is named "Majic Johnson" ?

I find it very confusing that a person can properly identify irony and misspell "magic" in the same sentence.

litespeed74

2011-11-08 11:09:32 AM

I still remember coming home from school and seeing the news conference where Magic announced that he was HIV positive. I was a huge Magic fan and this was sooo crushing and sad. I was pretty young so i was a bit confused on what he had.

ihatedumbpeople

2011-11-08 12:04:20 PM

I'm guessing he never had AIDS to begin with.

torr5962

2011-11-08 12:18:28 PM

ihatedumbpeople
I'm guessing he never had AIDS to begin with.
You get a prize in my book sir, for your astute observation.

I always thought he got a "false positive" HIV result, which was not uncommon in late 80's early 90's. I also like to refer to Pulitizer Prize journalist David Kindred who alluded to the fact that Magic was not being 100% honest about his whole ordeal.

Lets face it-HIV needed a perceived heterosexual face to the disease or it would forever be considered a "gay" disease, and never secure any substantial funding.

/Anyone Remember Kevin Johnson's favorite taunt to Magic in the 80's?

wheatpennyandaglock

2011-11-08 12:36:04 PM

JohnnyShotMe

irony is easy spelling is hard!

RoyFokker'sGhost

2011-11-08 12:50:58 PM

MidnightSkulker: I wish Freddie had had access to the same meds.

Freddie had other issues that kept him from getting the medicine. Like that fact that he was trying to keep his illness a secret. Also, Magic got on the treatment almost as soon as he was diagnosed; I don't think Freddie got tested until he was feeling too sick to go on tour. Big difference there.

/see you again in the thread on the 24th

SBinRR

2011-11-08 01:45:40 PM

So, what's the actual likelihood of a man contracting HIV from heterosexual contact only?
I don't feel like researching it, so if one of you would kindly make up a number or something, I'd be much obliged.

Disaster Transport

2011-11-08 01:53:58 PM

Freaking 20 years ago, this just makes me feel old. I signed a banner that my high school put together for him, wishing him well. There were a lot of reporters, etc. People were talking about it for days - I know we didn't think he'd be around this long.

/fellow Viking

raccoon2k

2011-11-08 02:46:17 PM

SBinRR: So, what's the actual likelihood of a man contracting HIV from heterosexual contact only?
I don't feel like researching it, so if one of you would kindly make up a number or something, I'd be much obliged.

According to the wiki, there is 0.04% chance of female-to-male transmission during vaginal farking. For comparison's sake, it is twice that for male-to-female transmission and there is a 1.7% chance of transmission during buttsex. Also, if you're poor, you're farked.

bigmattress

2011-11-08 03:19:38 PM

JohnnyShotMe: bigmattress: JohnnyShotMe: Poldana: Worked for a boss with full blown AIDS. Was doing as well as Magic last I knew. He told me that without his health insurance it would cost him $2500 a month for his meds. So yeah, money has a lot to do with living a long life with AIDS.

Sounds like good medical insurance does the job just as well.

Uh...you know those drugs aren't free, right? I mean, it's not out of pocket to his boss but they are getting paid for. You know that, right?

Yep. But in the context of the discussion, "money" was more towards an individual having a lot of money not the entire country. We can all survive a lot more bad things if we pay into insurance ahead of disaster. That's how it works. You know that, right?

I blame Obama.

atomsmoosher

2011-11-08 03:20:05 PM

The only conspiracy theory I ever favored was the one that suggests Magic claimed AIDS and left basketball so that they wouldn't pursue allegations that he was betting on games.

Evilsmurf

2011-11-08 03:34:11 PM

atomsmoosher: The only conspiracy theory I ever favored was the one that suggests Magic claimed AIDS and left basketball so that they wouldn't pursue allegations that he was betting on games.

Then why was he able to come back for the all-star game less than 3 months after the press conference? Then the Olympics? Not to mention his comeback attempt in 1992-3 season (which he aborted because players were paranoid they'd catch HIV off him).

bigmattress

2011-11-08 03:44:11 PM

Evilsmurf: atomsmoosher: The only conspiracy theory I ever favored was the one that suggests Magic claimed AIDS and left basketball so that they wouldn't pursue allegations that he was betting on games.

Then why was he able to come back for the all-star game less than 3 months after the press conference? Then the Olympics? Not to mention his comeback attempt in 1992-3 season (which he aborted because players were paranoid they'd catch HIV off him).

Wasn't it later than 92-93, his comeback?

vegaswench

2011-11-08 03:45:58 PM

I am a big fan of his and cried when I found out about his diagnosis. I figured he would be dead within a couple of years. I am glad I was wrong.

Evilsmurf

2011-11-08 03:55:05 PM

bigmattress: Evilsmurf: atomsmoosher: The only conspiracy theory I ever favored was the one that suggests Magic claimed AIDS and left basketball so that they wouldn't pursue allegations that he was betting on games.

Then why was he able to come back for the all-star game less than 3 months after the press conference? Then the Olympics? Not to mention his comeback attempt in 1992-3 season (which he aborted because players were paranoid they'd catch HIV off him).

Wasn't it later than 92-93, his comeback?

He played in the 1992-3 pre-season but several players (including his dream team-mate Karl Malone and allegedly Isaiah Thomas) expressed reservations about contracting HIV so he didn't return for the regular season.

98K514

2011-11-08 04:06:43 PM

torr5962: ihatedumbpeople
I'm guessing he never had AIDS to begin with.
You get a prize in my book sir, for your astute observation.

I always thought he got a "false positive" HIV result, which was not uncommon in late 80's early 90's. I also like to refer to Pulitizer Prize journalist David Kindred who alluded to the fact that Magic was not being 100% honest about his whole ordeal.

Lets face it-HIV needed a perceived heterosexual face to the disease or it would forever be considered a "gay" disease, and never secure any substantial funding.

/Anyone Remember Kevin Johnson's favorite taunt to Magic in the 80's?

I'm not one for whackadoodle conspiracy theories, but this has always been my thought as well.

Do You Know What I Am Saying

2011-11-08 04:21:49 PM

wheatpennyandaglock: isn't it Ironic that the first big time athlete to get aids is named "Majic Johnson" ?

[Mother-of-God.jpg]

How did I not realize he had a great name for a porn star?!

radioman_

2011-11-08 05:18:17 PM

I was on the AP computer at work preparing the evening newscast when the Magic story flashed. I turned around and said, "Magic Johnson is HIV positive and leaving basketball!" Everyone was all "BS!" and such, but as I can read English I feared not their mockery.

I'm astounded he's still here.

MaxSupernova

2011-11-08 07:22:11 PM

CSB....I was at model UN "representing" the fine country of Zaire when they stopped all the presentations and stuff to tell us that Magic had aids. i remember a few kids crying and a few parents/teachers getting upset about it because they didn't want their kids to hear about "aids". Its always interesting to see major news stories break while you are in public or near lots of other people to see all the different reactions.

pjlawrence81

2011-11-08 09:14:07 PM

Evilsmurf: bigmattress: Evilsmurf: atomsmoosher: The only conspiracy theory I ever favored was the one that suggests Magic claimed AIDS and left basketball so that they wouldn't pursue allegations that he was betting on games.

Then why was he able to come back for the all-star game less than 3 months after the press conference? Then the Olympics? Not to mention his comeback attempt in 1992-3 season (which he aborted because players were paranoid they'd catch HIV off him).

Wasn't it later than 92-93, his comeback?

He played in the 1992-3 pre-season but several players (including his dream team-mate Karl Malone and allegedly Isaiah Thomas) expressed reservations about contracting HIV so he didn't return for the regular season.

He came back late in the '96 season, played in about 20 games and the playoffs, then retired for good.

Dr. C. Beavers

2011-11-09 11:10:17 PM

talulahgosh: Phoenix_M: [yellowcat413.files.wordpress.com image 200x209]

I think it was a false positive & he never had HIV MJ was a well known figure in San Francisco clubs at the time... if you know what I mean there was a DJ on live 105 at the time that said he saw him all the time in various clubs all the time.

okay, i'll bite.
there are so many medications that can stave off AIDS, even if you're HIV positive for years. especially if you're rich and can afford the best treatment possible. it wasn't a false positive, i'm sure he's been tested many times. had it been a false positive, he would've said so before and gotten media attention then as well.

/because really, who wouldn't want to exclaim to the world: you know that devastating (emotionally and physically) disease that i knew would kill me? turns out the doctors were completely wrong. huzzah for me!

There's also the possibility that he won the genetic lottery and inherited the CCR5 mutation. Of course that's private info and we would never really know for sure.

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