ESPN Films: 'The Announcement'

Film Summary

On Thursday, Nov. 7, 1991, Earvin "Magic" Johnson made people stop and watch at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. But this time it wasn't his basketball brilliance as a perennial NBA All-Star and three-time MVP that was captivating audiences worldwide. Instead, the 32-year-old groundbreaking point guard was holding a press conference to make the stunning announcement that he was HIV-positive and would be retiring from basketball immediately. But the shock of this declaration went deeper. Having the AIDS virus in 1991 was widely seen as a death sentence, and the commonly held belief was that we would be watching a beloved sports hero die excruciatingly and swiftly in front of our eyes. Yet Magic had a different narrative in mind. He defied the odds, not just surviving, but truly living and prospering. From his MVP performance in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, his participation on the original Olympic "Dream Team" later that year and an NBA comeback in 1996, to his astounding success as a businessman, philanthropist and ambassador in the fight against AIDS, Magic has lived up to the promise of his nickname.

Some Background

With ESPN Films coming out with The Announcement, I thought I would write this. I grew up not really knowing my biological father. I’ve only seen him a handful of times in my life and don’t have very many memories of him. My first stepfather was physically abusive. My second stepfather was completely disengaged and lacked a backbone. In short, I never had a positive male role model growing up and was basically left to figure out life for myself while in a broken home and without any Christian influence. As you can imagine, my teenage years didn’t turn out so well.

1st Hero

I’ve mentioned often that young boys need heroes in their lives. My first hero was Magic Johnson. I remember how he, and Larry Bird, completely turned the NBA upside down. Magic’s teammates loved him because he was unselfish. He had charisma and a charm that captivated most of the world. Young boys at my middle school wore Magic shirts all the time, myself included. Magic was the man who first got me interested in the game of basketball.

Growing up and going to school in a rough neighborhood, basketball kept a couple close friends and me out of trouble. I started learning the lessons of life through wanting to become a good basketball player. It takes hard work to achieve anything of note. But you don’t have to step on other people to get to your goals. Magic achieved greatness by making his teammates better, by convincing them of their personal value to the team, and ultimately getting a group of individuals to work together as a singular unit. He was a leader. He was also the first person who made me want my life to actually mean something other than simply existing.

The Day I Thought My Hero Died

When Magic made his Announcement, it was my sophomore year in high school and I had just finished basketball practice. I noticed the coaching staff looked completely shocked. I looked around and asked, “What happened?” One guy on the team told me but I didn’t believe him. Then I went to one of my coaches and he confirmed the news. I went back into the team room, sat in the dark and wept for a couple of hours. I thought, “My hero was going to die.”

I remember the entire city of Los Angeles, and the entire sports world was in mourning. One of the most beloved sports figure of all time had to retire. I had to endure nonsense from high school friends saying, “Why are you so sad? You don’t even know him?” I never responded to pointless questions. There’s no reason to waste my time with ignorance.

Trial to Triumph

Through perseverance Magic Johnson turned something tragic into something triumphant. He educated the world on the subject of the HIV virus, which caused AIDS. Much of the world had ignorant ideas about HIV and AIDS. Not anymore. And it was because of Magic Johnson.

Reflections

Now that I’m older, I’ve often thought Magic didn’t really have to tell anyone he was HIV positive at the time. He could’ve said it was an injury and it was simply his time to retire. But he didn’t and for being transparent, he endured much ridicule and ignorant accusations. Maybe he felt that he owed it to us (fans) because we were like family to him. He was one of the few athletes who seemed to genuinely care about the fans.

Today, I have many heroes. People who are/were passionate about things of eternal value. People I actually know personally who have invested into my life. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever forget my first hero and what he meant to me during a very dark time in my life. I don’t care if Kobe gets his sixth title (one more than Magic), Magic will always be, in my eyes, the greatest Laker of all time.

Magic Johnson makes me think, “Why doesn’t everyone love this game?” That’s just a snapshot of why I love this game. And if people still think I’m crazy for being so invested in a sport, I don’t have time for ignorance.

It’s a Girl!

Disclaimer: If you’re looking for a boring blog that writes the same cookie-cutter type of responses to typical life events in typical fashion then this blog isn’t for you. I’m giving my honest thoughts, feelings and reactions at the exact moment they happen. If you think I’m a jerk, you’re probably right but at least I won’t be boring.

On our way to the ultrasound I was pretty nervous at what the results might be. I wore blue as I was rooting for a boy. My wife needed to have some blood drawn first before the ultrasound. As she headed into the office, I was in the waiting room still a nervous wreck. The Anderson Show was on the TV in the waiting room and the topic was Mothers entering their baby girls in thousand dollar beauty pageants. I thought to myself, “This isn’t a good sign” for my hope of having a boy.

After my wife finished getting her blood drawn we started walking towards the ultrasound office but decided to use the bathrooms beforehand. The bathrooms were unisex. When I opened the door the toilet seat was up. I thought, “Only a guy would leave the toilet seat up” this might be a good sign that I’m having a boy. As you could see, I was grasping for straws.

Finally arriving to the ultrasound room the technician turned on the monitor and I immediately asked her, “Is that a penis?!?” As she moved the device around, checking out the baby I was desperately looking for the child’s junk. After a few minutes of searching the technician typed the words on the screen, “It’s a g-i-r-l!” I said to myself “Sh*t!” After the ultrasound was over, I had to immediately call my sister and let her know the gender or she would have ripped my heart out. When she was informed we’re having a girl she said, “Aw, another me.” I thought a trip to BevMo was needed.

It’s no secret that I wanted a boy, first. There are several reasons for this but I’ll just mention three. First, he would have been able to help me protect my daughter from horny teenagers or any wholesome guy for that matter (to me they’re the same). Second, I’m a basketball nut and I wanted a boy who is also a basketball nut. I don’t think it’s fair my sister has a 2-year-old boy who is a basketball nut, already. It’s just not. Finally, after the boy was born I was going to play “Circle of Life” from the Lion King soundtrack. That song works better with a boy. Now I’m not sure what song to play. I’m at a loss.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Having a baby is an exciting and life-changing event. At least that’s what I’m told. I’m not saying I’m not excited but it hasn’t truly hit me yet. Work is still work, the dog is still the dog, and the Lakers still need to make a trade. Nothing has really changed except my wife’s taste buds.

Where do we go from here? I had goals for a potential son to achieve but I hadn’t thought about goals for a girl. I’m fairly positive my wife has some in mind. Raising a child isn’t supposed to be mapped out in its’ entirety. If it is, usually you end up with quite the dysfunctional individual. I think I have enough dysfunction by myself- we don’t need anymore.

There are only a couple things I do know with certainty. First, I’ll be spending a lot of money in the areas of Prom(s), shopping/accessories, and a wedding. You know, all the things that will delay my retirement. Second, I will dislike anyone who wants to marry my daughter no matter how good at basketball he is. Beyond that it’s all a shot in the dark. In short, I have no idea where we go from here. But isn’t that part of the fun? It’s not stressing me out (yet).

Perspective

You know what comforts me? My friends. Almost all my close friends, who have children, have had a girl first. Initially they were a little apprehensive as well (if they were being honest). But once their little girl came into their lives they had an immediate change of heart. They looooooooovvvvvvvvvvveeeeeee their little girl and don’t feel like they’ve missed out on anything. I’m confident I’ll feel the same way. One of my mentors at Biola adopted a couple of girls a few years ago. He says having girls has “affirmed his masculinity” more than anything else, including being proficient in sports (I’m skeptical of this). His reasoning is when men have girls it softens them in the areas which need to be softened (e.g., personal pride, ego, self-centeredness, etc.) and it brings out areas which men were meant for (e.g., protector, provider, leader, etc.).

I’ve often thought of what having a son would mean to me. I would look at him and wonder what I might’ve been if I had a good father and all of the pain and suffering that could’ve been avoided with simply having a father present in my life. It would mean being a man my son could trust, and using the wisdom and experience of my life to help shape him into a man. Basically, having a son would mean me in a parallel universe with a father who cared. I know my flaws, moronic tendencies, and all the emotional heartache that comes with them. I’ve often wondered, “Would I still be as scarred had I been given a father who cared?” Having a son would answer that question for me. It would also give me the opportunity to be a father to him in much the same way I longed for a father myself.

Instead, I’m having a daughter. I have no doubts having a daughter will absolutely change my world. This is what the Lord has for me and I’m okay with that. The Lord knows best and being a father to a son is not in the cards (for now). But if my daughter is anything like my wife and my mom, she’s going to be an amazing woman with an amazing story. A wonderful story I get to be a part of. And as my wife tells me, if our daughter has my butt I’ll have to buy a gun and learn how to use it quickly.