Magic Johnson Gives LA Teens Sneak Peek At Film About HIV 'Announcement'
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Over two decades ago, one of the city's most beloved sports heroes shocked the world by announcing he had contracted the HIV virus.
Now Lakers legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson is giving high school students a sneak preview of that historic moment in a new documentary titled "The Announcement".
An audience of hundreds of local students packed in at Regal Cinemas in Los Angeles to see the documentary that features never-before-seen footage of Johnson before, during and after that Nov. 7, 1991, announcement and the ensuing stigma he faced both off and on the court.
The 52-year-old businessman and former Lakers co-owner used the screening to get young people talking about the disease.
"I don't want you to make the same mistake I made," Johnson told the crowd.
"Back then, people reacted," said wife Cookie. "Now, the young people don't know because no one's talking about it anymore."
ESPN Films, which produced the project, is scheduled to air the documentary on Sunday.
