Magic Johnson, who played as point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons, earning 'NBA MVP Award' three times, became a philanthropist and motivational speaker after his career came to a sudden end due to being tested positive for HIV. Since then, he has talked openly about his past sexual relationship with multiple women and dedicated his life in spreading awareness about the disease through the Magic Johnson Foundation. He spoke at the United Nations World AIDS Day Conference in 1999 and was a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Here we look at some of his memorable quotes from interviews and speeches. Apart from speaking about HIV, he also delivers motivational quotes about sports, winning, dreams, and relationships.
The worst moment from all of this was driving from that doctor's office, to tell my wife that I was HIV positive.
Magic Johnson
I wouldn't do the 'Magic Hour' again, but I would do TV again. The 'Magic Hour' is not me. Anything I would do, I would have to be me. That is how it would work.
Magic Johnson
I tell you, it's funny because the only time I think about HIV is when I have to take my medicine twice a day.
Magic Johnson
We cut him off and there was nowhere for him to go but out of bounds ... It's still the greatest move I've ever seen in basketball, the all-time greatest.
Magic Johnson
Don't give up! Be friends with people who help you work hard.
Magic Johnson
It all started when I got injured early in my second season. This turned out to be as difficult emotionally as physically.
Magic Johnson
You either have to be great or you have to be bad to get a good pick.
Magic Johnson
On his telepathic understanding with James Worthy- It's almost like we have ESPN.
Magic Johnson
People don't stop eating, and they don't stop drinking coffee.
Magic Johnson
A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom. Just like right now with the whole mortgage crisis, I want to help people get back into their homes.
I love business. I love helping urban communities grow. I love putting people to work of color. I love making sure - like right now the whole mortgage crisis, I want to help people get back into their homes.
Most people who are healthy, and I'm healthy, can't even live my life. Trust me. I get up 530-6 every morning. I'm in the gym. I run a couple miles. I lift weights, and then I'm at work until 8-9 o'clock at night.
Magic Johnson
I've always studied business. Even when I was a ball player, I'd read business journals and the business sections of newspapers.
If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to use every connection you’ve got.
Magic Johnson
The looks, the stares, the giggles . . . I wanted to show everybody that I could do better and also that I could read.
Magic Johnson
You don't have to be Magic to be special. You're already special, you're you.
Magic Johnson
I'm from there. You know, when you grow up with these people and see them every day and then you look at the numbers... it was easy; it was a no-brainer. And when Sony took a look, it was a no-brainer to them, too.
Magic Johnson
I only know how to play two ways: reckless and abandon.
Magic Johnson
Life doesnt stop because something happens to you.
Magic Johnson
On the best tactic when playing alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Just give him the ball.
Magic Johnson
They said playing basketball would kill me. Well, not playing basketball was killing me.
Magic Johnson
Larry, you only told me one lie. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird.
Magic Johnson
Even as a fierce competitor I try to smile.
Magic Johnson
If you hate to lose, you do whatever you need to do to make sure you're business is successful.
Magic Johnson
Even when I went to the playground, I never picked the best players. I picked guys with less talent, but who were willing to work hard and had the desire to be great.
Magic Johnson
WE all have to play as a team to make the world a better place
Magic Johnson
If you want someone to be your mentor, you better be ready to listen and be humbled.
Magic Johnson
You can't get AIDS from a hug or a handshake or a meal with a friend.
Magic Johnson
If people around you aren't going anywhere, if their dreams are no bigger than hanging out on the corner, or if they're dragging you down, get rid of them.
Magic Johnson
Being able to touch so many people through my businesses and make money while doing it, is a huge blessing.
There's Michael [Jordan], then there's the rest of us.
Magic Johnson
It's a burden trying to keep a secret. It's hard. It probably takes more out of you trying to hold it and keep it than it does for you to really let it out.
I never think that there's something I can't do, whether it's beating my opponent one on one or practicing another hour because something about my game is just not right.
Magic Johnson
Everybody on a championship team doesn't get publicity, but everyone can say he's a champion.
Magic Johnson
Any guy who can maintain a positive attitude without much playing time certainly earns my respect.
Magic Johnson
If you're a competitive person, that stays with you. You don't stop. You always look over your shoulder.
Magic Johnson
If the community is happy, then they support your business and if your business is doing well, then you can give back even more to the community.
Assists is what Earvin is all about. That's what my whole life has been, assisting others.
Magic Johnson
I was able to see what I wanted to do, I could see the opportunity, even when others could not, and I stay committed to doing it and doing it well, no matter what.
Magic Johnson
When I'm under the gun and I've got pressure on me, I don't panic. I look for the right solution, and then I go for it.
Magic Johnson
Because if you're going to lose, lose. I'm serious.
Magic Johnson
I think you just have to keep knocking down doors, you have to keep being aggressive, and even if somebody says 'No', then you have to knock on the next door.
Magic Johnson
I'm a big believer in dreaming. If you don't dream it, you can't become it.
Magic Johnson
For me, it always goes back to something I learned in basketball. There's winning and there's losing, and in life you have to know they both will happen. But what's never been acceptable to me is quitting.
Magic Johnson
You're the only one who can make the difference. Whatever your dream is, go for it.
Magic Johnson
I grew up poor, but I didn't have poor dreams
Magic Johnson
Talent is never enough. With few exceptions the best players are the hardest workers.
Magic Johnson
In life, winning and losing will both happen. What is never acceptable is quitting.
Magic Johnson
I like things going on in my life. I don't want to be on a beach somewhere just relaxing.
ObamaCare is working. I talk to a lot of CEOs of hospitals. It is working.
Magic Johnson
Everyone should have the opportunity to get affordable, quality health coverage.
Magic Johnson
I'm building shopping centers and movie theaters in the inner cities. So that means supplying jobs and letting blacks understand that we have to build our communities back, not looking to anybody else.
Magic Johnson
Sometimes friends move apart from each other for whatever reason.
Magic is who I am on the basketball court. Earvin is who I am.
Magic Johnson
It's a burden trying to keep a secret. It's hard. It probably takes more out of you trying to hold it and keep it than it does for you to really let it out.
Magic is crazy. He is that crazy wild guy on the basketball court that is very intense and very serious. He is the guy who lives and eats and breathes basketball.
Magic Johnson
The audience likes their emotions to be touched. They want to laugh and cry and feel good.
The real story is that I had unprotected sex. That's that. That's easy.
Magic Johnson
The important thing is this Just because I'm doing well doesn't mean that they're going to do well if they get HIV. A lot of people have died since I have announced. This disease is not going anywhere.
Magic Johnson
The first year was hard for me to deal with. The second year was a little bit easier, but still difficult. It took me five years to get it out of me. It was a difficult moment, a difficult time.
I'm from there. You know, when you grow up with these people and see them every day and then you look at the numbers it was easy; it was a no-brainer. And when Sony took a look, it was a no-brainer to them, too.
I guess when people ask what is the biggest transition to the NBA from college, it is definitely defense and the mental part.
Magic Johnson
I met wonderful people playing in the NBA. Whether it is the officials, the scorekeepers, all the people who work for the NBA, not just for the Lakers, but I'm talking about just for the league itself.
Magic Johnson
I tell you, it's funny because the only time I think about HIV is when I have to take my medicine twice a day.
Research your idea. See if there's a demand. A lot of people have great ideas, but they don't know if there's a need for it. You also have to research your competition.
Magic Johnson
I do not have bad days. I don't wake up in the morning and think that I'm going to get AIDS. I don't dream bad dreams about it. If I did, I'd be giving in to the negativity.
