On 7 November 1991, 32-year-old Magic Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and was retiring from basketball, ending his 13-year professional career. His announcement caused a firestorm of concern, rumors, and NBA policies (e.g. players with open cuts had to be immediately removed from the game).
Despite his retirement, Johnson was voted onto the 1992 All-Star Game (his 12th All-Star selection), and despite protests from players such as Karl Malone and Byron Scott who argued that Johnson should not play due to potential infection of other players, Johnson did play, and was named MVP of the game.
Johnson began the Magic Johnson Foundation in 1991 to help educate and combat HIV, but was later criticized by AIDS activists when the Foundation decreased its attention and involvement with the disease.
Johnson also participated in the 1992 National Commission on AIDS, but quit after 8 months, citing George W. Bush’s “ignoring” the commission’s recommendation, including universal healthcare and expanded Medicaid for low-income AIDS/HIV patients.
