Magic Johnson denies fake story that he was donating blood to COVID-19 patients: 'I have never donated blood'
NBA legend Magic Johnson took to Twitter on Tuesday to shoot down a fake story circulating on Twitter that he was donating blood to COVID-19 patients.
A photo of the 63-year-old Los Angeles Lakers legend, who announced at a 1991 press conference that he had contracted the HIV virus, started circulating last week with that claim, though Johnson denied it in a tweet on Tuesday.
The Associated Press also shed more light on the viral photo, revealing that the photo originated from a 2012 documentary showing Johnson getting his blood drawn at a routine doctor's appointment, not donating blood to the Red Cross.
Fake story: NBA legend Magic Johnson took to Twitter on Tuesday to shoot down a fake story circulating on Twitter that he was donating blood to COVID-19 patients
The image first surfaced on a satire Twitter account, with many others Twitter accounts sharing it.
One Twitter account dubbed @NBAGoatMuse tweeted the photo with the inaccurate caption, 'Earlier today, NBA legend Magic Johnson donated some of his blood to the Red Cross to help underprivileged communities help fight COVID-19.'
Johnson simply responded Tuesday on Twitter, 'I’m aware of the false story circling the internet, and to be clear, I have never donated blood.'
Never: Johnson simply responded Tuesday on Twitter, 'I’m aware of the false story circling the internet, and to be clear, I have never donated blood'
The AP report reveals that the image comes from the 2012 PBS Frontline documentary Endgame: AIDS in Black America.
The still, which was also published by NPR in July 2012, was taken from a scene where Johnson's longtime physician, Dr. David Ho, drawing blood during a routine visit.
The Red Cross' policies do not allow anyone who has tested positive for HIV to donate blood.
Documentary: The AP report reveals that the image comes from the 2012 PBS Frontline documentary Endgame: AIDS in Black America
Red Cross: The Red Cross' policies do not allow anyone who has tested positive for HIV to donate blood
Johnson made headlines in 1991 when he announced he had tested positive for HIV and would be retiring from the NBA.
He would ultimately come back to the NBA on two different occasions before ultimately retiring for good in 1996.
A number of high-powered medications Johnson has taken throughout the years has reduced the HIV virus in his system to 'undetctable' levels, it was reported by AP in 1997.
Headlines: Johnson made headlines in 1991 when he announced he had tested positive for HIV and would be retiring from the NBA
More than 30 years after his first announcement of contracting HIV, Johnson has still never contracted AIDS, the late stage of HIV infection that attacks the immune system.
He would go on to become a powerful advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex over the years while also solidifying his legacy as a business titan as well as for his greatness on the basketball court.
Johnson is part of a group of investors that purchased the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks in 2014.
Never: Never: More than 30 years after his first announcement of contracting HIV, Johnson has still never contracted AIDS, the late stage of HIV infection that attacks the immune syste
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