The Man Who Overcame His Death SentenceEarvin "Magic" Johnson didn't earn the nickname "Magic" for nothing. In 13 seasons playing for the Los Angeles Lakers he averaged a career double-double with 19.5 points and 11.2 assists per season (The Announcement). This led to his team winning many championships and brought Magic into talks as one of the greatest point guards of all time. Unfortunately this career was interrupted by a terrible disease that developed in the 1980s called HIV. This has now made him an advocate for HIV awareness and has also pushed him to form organizations to help find a cure for the HIV virus. During this time in history, HIV was emerging across America, and the fact that someone of Magic's caliber discovered it shocked the entire nation. Through magic, by obtaining this disease and rising above it, he proved that it was possible to survive this terrible disease. Magic Johnson overcame the world by facing the adversity of his diagnosis, dealing with criticism of how he contracted the disease, returning to the sport he loved and becoming a figure who helps cure HIV. One of the most difficult moments in Magic's life was coming to grips with his diagnosis and then finally having to announce it to the public. It all started one day when the Lakers played an exhibition game against the Utah Jazz. The team doctor, Dr. Mellman, called Johnson and told him he needed to get back to Los Angeles right then and there (Weinburg). Little did Johnson know that his life was about to be changed forever. When he returned, Mellman told Magic he tested positive for HIV (Weinburg). Magic then showed his first signs of mental toughness and coping skills when he overcame his diagnosis, and began to think about the future and let the entire audience know why or...... middle of paper... .. .and he went back to being himself once again, that's why Magic Johnson conquered the world. Works Cited The announcement. Dir. Nelson Giorgio. Perf. Larry Bird, George Bush and Dyan Cannon. ESPNFilms, 2012.Araton, Harvey. “Johnson's return to the League is not welcomed by some.” The New York Times. TheNew York Times, October 31, 1992. Web. April 1, 2014. Vincent, Roger. "Magic Johnson built a business empire after the end of the court glories." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, March 28, 2012. Web. April 1, 2014. Weinberg, Rick. "ESPN.com - ESPN 25 - 7: Magic Johnson announces he is HIV positive."ESPN.com - ESPN 25 - 7: Magic Johnson announces he is HIV positive. ESPN, n.d. Web.01 April 2014.Zaldivar, Gabe. “Clyde Drexler Says Dream Team Takes Pity on Magic Johnson Due to HIV.” Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting, June 26, 2013. Web. April 1. 2014.