The entire sports world was shocked. From former teammates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy to later-generation stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, all sent words of encouragement and spirit. Lakers – the team associated with Johnson’s name – immediately hung a banner with the words “Stay Strong, Magic” at the stadium.

On social networks, the hashtag #PrayForMagic quickly became the top trending globally in just a few hours, with millions of fans sharing photos, memories and prayers for this legend. What moved the public even more was the image of Magic Johnson, who boldly stepped up to the press conference podium in 1991 to announce that he was HIV positive at a time when the world was still full of prejudice, and is now as courageous as ever.

Once again, he did not hide, did not hide, but openly shared the truth to inspire those who are fighting this disease. “I want everyone to know that I will not give up. I fought once and I will fight again. I believe that I still have many reasons to continue living, to continue inspiring,” Johnson affirmed. Medical experts said that the type of cancer he has and the specific treatment regimen are still unknown, but Johnson revealed that he has started the initial treatment steps and his spirit is “still very strong”.

Family, friends and former teammates are always by his side to give him strength. The image of Magic Johnson shedding tears but still smiling, raising his fist as a promise to fight, is being shared at a dizzying speed. Fans everywhere call him “the immortal warrior”, not only because of what he has done on the field, but also because of the way he has faced the harshest adversities in his life. If in 1991, Magic Johnson changed the global perception of HIV with his courage, today, at the age of 66, he once again reminds the world that true strength lies not in sports victories, but in the way people dare to face the truth and never stop fighting for life.