NBA Rewind, November 7, 1991: The Day The Magic Died in Los Angeles

On November 7, 1991, Erving "Magic" Johnson announced to the world that he was retiring from professional basketball due to HIV.



For many, the news that Johnson was carrying the virus seemed like the end of not only an era, but of a man whom so many came to love for his charismatic attitude, infectious smile, and stellar moves on the basketball court.

It was a sad day for many of his fans because many believed that Johnson would die soon after his admission, after all, that was what happened to people with HIV/AIDS back then—they died.

On the flip side, the fact that Johnson did come forward was also a subtle sign of the progress and education that was yet to come. His admission that he caught the virus by being promiscuous with the opposite sex changed the thought processes of the many who believed that "straight" people were immune to HIV.

However, it wouldn't be long before the world knew that Johnson had no intention of disappearing into a corner to live out what little life he was perceived to have left. He planned to live as freely and normally as the everyday person and, unbeknown to many at the time, he would play the game he loved again.

On October 2, 1992, he signed a one-year contract extension with the L.A. Lakers for a record $14.6 million for the 1994-95 basketball season—the sum was payable in full whether he played or not.

The gesture was one that seemed a bit much at the time but, Jerry Buss, the Lakers owner, was more than willing to pay it to Johnson for "all that he'd done" for the franchise. 

Johnson would later make a brief return to his former team, but quickly retired again once it became clear that the NBA players weren't as ready for him as he had hoped.

Although he remained strong, the impact of his disease proved the bigger setback as stars like Karl Malone openly expressed their concerns about his being on the court with them. They felt the risk was just too great.

Magic accepted his fate and decided his interests were best served off the court, away from the game, using the platform his name and face afforded him to spread the word about what HIV really means for those who are carriers.

He became the virus' biggest picture of success and gave many who were already silently living with it a reason to believe they too would be okay.

Nearly 20-years later, Magic Johnson is still fighting the fight, and living the life that he always thought he could—against all odds.

Magic Johnson—Today

UGA President Michael Adams Introduces Interim AD (Video)

University of Georgia President, Michael Adams, introduced Frank Crumley as the interim athletic director (AD) today during his regular monthly press conference. Crumley considers the opportunity a chance for him to audition for the job as AD since Adams has not ruled out the possibility of an in-house hire.

President Adams has assigned a six-person committee to be responsible for the search and hopes that the candidate will be found sooner rather than later but he did not rule out the possibility of the process taking six-months or more.

The committee members include:

• David Shipley—Faculty athletic representative and appointed chair of the search committee to find the next AD. Listed below are the members who will be assisting him in this task.

• Swann Seiler—UGA Alumnus (78') and member of the executive board of the athletic association. Also, daughter of Sonny and Cecilia Seiler—the couple responsible for both breeding and caring for the Uga line. Uga is the popular White English Bulldog that the University of Georgia hails as its official mascot.

• Jack Bauerle—UGA Alumnus (75') and current head coach of the Georgia men's swim team. 

• Carla Williams—UGA Alumnus (89') and former member of the Georgia women's basketball team. She currently holds a position within the athletic department as the senior associate athletic director. 

• Tom Landrum—UGA Alumnus (72') and he senior vice president for external affairs. 

• Robert Sinyard— Currently enrolled at UGA and serving as the student representative on the board of the Athletic Association. 

It was initially reported, via Twitter by Zach Klein of WSB-TV on Monday afternoon, that Dr. Adams would use the same search firm responsible for his, coach Mark Fox's, and Damon Evans' hires—Parker Executive Search—to find the next AD for Georgia. However, it would appear that Adams felt that he could entrust this process to the six individuals named above.

Said Adams,"The members of this committee have strong ties to this place and a deep understanding of its history and culture.  I have asked them to move expeditiously on this important task."

Adams also stated that he would be looking outside of the university first and would like a candidate who "...has a very high level of experience."

In the end, it was a very positive step towards moving past the embarrassment that was Damon Evans' misguided actions and a rare moment of Bulldog pride directed toward Michael Adams—he was all class today and deserves a ton of praise.

Below is video from the press conference for those who may not have seen it, followed by the Q & A session held afterwards. The questions are a little hard to hear but the answers give a good gist.  

President Adams' opening remarks and the introduction of Frank Crumley as interim AD:



President Adams takes questions from the press:

The Georgia Bulldogs Receive 11th Commitment: QB Nick Marshall

Georgia netted another early commitment on Tuesday night when Wilcox County quarterback, Nick Marshall, stated his intention to sign with the Bulldogs in 2011.

The Georgia native has been on the Bulldogs radar for quite some time—his initial offer came in December 2009—and he has been told that he will be allowed to play basketball for coach Fox as well.

He will play defensive back (DB), not quarterback (QB), for Georgia.

According to Dean Legge of DawgPost.com, coach Richt contacted Marshall's high school coach a couple weeks ago and re-offered the prep star as a DB. After giving the offer some thought, Marshall decided to accept the change and give his commitment to Georgia.

It was well-known that the commitment of Christian LeMay—considered to be one of the nation's top quarterback's for 2011—lessened the urgency for Georgia to sign another QB in this class. So, it wasthe popular opinion of many—fans and experts—that Marshall could decide to sign elsewhere.

However, after giving it some thought, he likely understood the advantages of playing defense instead of offense—particularly given his desire to continue playing basketball. After all, the demands placed on a Division I quarterback are many, and it would have been difficult to be as effective at one without, somewhat, eschewing the other.

SEC QB's don't really have an offseason—they are expected to be as involved during the year as they are after it is over.

If Marshall was harboring any hoop dreams, then it would not have behooved him to have them while playing quarterback.

He won't be coming into the position blindly—he played both corner and safety in high school—and his 6'2", 185 lbs frame, coupled with his above-average speed, will make him an intriguing prospect at the position for Scott Lakatos next spring.

Either way, the Georgia Bulldogs "Dream Team" continues to make all the right move.

R.I.P John Wooden—One of the Great Ones

A few video clips of the former UCLA coaching great who died yesterday at 99.

John Wooden interview with Roy Firestone (3 separate years):



John Wooden's final game as the coach of the UCLA Bruins. His 10th National Championship:



Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Wooden:



John Wooden's Famous 'Pyramid of Success':

                                            "Make each day your Masterpiece"--John Wooden