Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune (CT) - MONDAY, February 19, 1996 Edition: NORTH SPORTS FINAL Section: SPORTS Page: 10 Word Count: 812
Sam Smith, Tribune Pro Basketball Writer.
Certainly he's breaking the hateful prejudices associated with AIDS by competing in a contact sport and doing what he wants despite the disease.
But some worry of the message Johnson sends by playing a physical and glamorous sport. A counselor at a Boston neighborhood health center, Robert Johnson, told the Boston Herald his talks with kids about HIV, abstinence and safe sex since Johnson's return have been met with little credibility.
"They see a guy running up and down the court and think if they get (HIV) they can still play basketball and chase girls," he said.
Responded Magic: "The virus acts differently in everyone that has it. If they really want to see what's going on, all they have to do is go right there to the hospice in Boston.
"I think me being back is a positive for a lot of people. But what they have to understand is that today looks fine, but there are still questions about tomorrow with me. There's still the questions about what's going to happen. Everything's going well now, but I have HIV and something's going to happen. Kids just have to know what you can lose. I lost a lot of time when I could have been doing the thing I love, playing basketball. I'm living proof of what you can lose."
CAPTION: PHOTO (color): Magic Johnson says that although he can still play, HIV will eventually catch up with him. AP photo.
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