Quotes from Magic Johnson

The first year was hard for me to deal with. The second year was a little bit easier, but still difficult. It took me five years to get it out of me. It was a difficult moment, a difficult time.

I like things going on in my life. I don't want to be on a beach somewhere just relaxing.

I'm not cured, but the HIV is asleep deep in my body.

My having HIV has no bearing on my business.

It's a burden trying to keep a secret. It's hard. It probably takes more out of you trying to hold it and keep it than it does for you to really let it out.

You can't get AIDS from a hug or a handshake or a meal with a friend.

I'm the one who will take chances, not worry about the backlash.

I love to be in the ballpark. I love to just go in and enjoy a great baseball game, a great pitchers' duel.

A woman always remembers. Remember that.

I'm the biggest music lover in the world. I mean, I have seen everybody. I went on tour with Michael Jackson and the Jacksons four or five times.

You know I was a shy guy and people didn't know that and still don't know it today. I'm sure basketball brought my shyness out because of the fact that you have to do interviews, and that people are always talking to you in terms of the fans and everything.

No one plans to get sick or hurt - I certainly didn't - but most people will need medical care at some point in their lives.

If somebody says no to you, or if you get cut, Michael Jordan was cut his first year, but he came back and he was the best ever. That is what you have to have. The attitude that I'm going to show everybody, I'm going to work hard to get better and better.

Everyone thought I was going to die like a year later, they didn't know. So I helped educate sports, and then the world, that a man living with HIV can play basketball. He's not going to give it to anybody by playing basketball.

I guess when people ask what is the biggest transition to the NBA from college, it is definitely defense and the mental part.

People see me high-fivin' and smiling on the court, and they don't think that's me. But it is. I just want to go out and be myself.

The important thing is this Just because I'm doing well doesn't mean that they're going to do well if they get HIV. A lot of people have died since I have announced. This disease is not going anywhere.

When you are honest and open with young people, they let you in.

The audience likes their emotions to be touched. They want to laugh and cry and feel good.

Young people want you to be real with them.

I get up 5:30-6 every morning. I'm in the gym. I run a couple miles.

Every kid, every minority kid can be so successful if they focus on their education.

I want to be here for a long time, so I am going to do everything I have to do to be here. And I want to walk my daughter down the aisle and give her away to somebody some day. I want to make sure I am still here to make sure my two young sons become men.

I'm from there. You know, when you grow up with these people and see them every day and then you look at the numbers it was easy; it was a no-brainer. And when Sony took a look, it was a no-brainer to them, too.