*A recent episode of “Club 520,” hosted by Jeff Teague, has stirred controversy after co-host Bishop B. Henn remarked on NBA legend Magic Johnson that many deemed offensive.
“He survived HIV and his son…” Henn said, aiming to highlight Johnson’s resilience but instead igniting a firestorm online. As Men’s Journal reports, fans online slammed the comment as homophobic, accusing Henn of mocking Johnson’s openly gay son, EJ Johnson.
The backlash overshadowed Henn’s attempt to praise Johnson’s ability to overcome adversity, including his 1991 HIV diagnosis, which stunned the sports world. Johnson’s public battle with HIV reshaped perceptions, turning him into a beacon of hope and activism.
In 2021, Johnson reflected on his journey during an appearance on “CBS Mornings.” “It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her,” he said, recalling the moment he told his newlywed wife, Cookie, about his diagnosis.
Cookie, pregnant at the time, prioritized his survival over the circumstances, stating, “It wasn’t how he got it that was important to me. It was, ‘You’re possibly going to die.’ And that trumped everything.”
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“He survived HIV AND his SON” ☠️☠️☠️ ☠️☠️☠️☠️ pic.twitter.com/Z5pIbP7zIR
— BHENtel (@bhentoofunny) July 16, 2025
Johnson’s diagnosis came at a time when HIV carried heavy stigma, yet he transformed it into a platform for advocacy. His return to basketball, including playing in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game and the Olympic “Dream Team,” inspired countless others.
“It proved to be the right decision,” Johnson said. “It helped people who were living with not just HIV and AIDS, but with any disease, that you can live on, you can be — live a productive life.”
Beyond his playing career, Johnson has remained a Lakers cornerstone as a coach, executive, and cultural icon.
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