Magic Johnson and Charlie Sheen have something in common, aside from the fact that both were often winning at various points in their lives.
Johnson on the basketball court and Sheen, supposedly, at life.
As confirmed to Matt Lauer yesterday morning, like the famous former athlete, Sheen also has HIV.
In response to this stunning news, Johnson took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon and wrote the following message:
“I wish @CharlieSheen and his family the best. With the advancement in treatments and medicine he can fight this disease and live a long life.
“In @CharlieSheen breaking his silence, I hope he joins me in educating the world about HIV/AIDS.”
Magic was diagnosed with HIV way back in 1992. He retired immediately from the NBA as a result, but later made a pair of comebacks.
He has gone on to find success in broadcasting and major success in the business world.
Sheen, meanwhile, told Lauer in their Today Show interview that he does not intend on becoming the “poster man” for this disease.
But he does hope that his admission removes some of the stigma surrounding HIV and encourages others to seek treatment.
Elsewhere, former Who’s the Boss star Danny Pintauro also released a statement in response to Sheen’s bombshell.
The former child actor, who revealed his HIV positive diagnosis to Oprah this summer, hopes Sheen becomes an unlikely role model for this illness.
“This is an opportunity to learn and teach,” Pintauro says.
“And so I urge you to set aside any negativity and take the time to educate yourself and others instead. Find out about PrEP, a once daily pill to protect against HIV.
“Learn about the amazing advancements in treatment, what ‘undetectable’ means, and how treatment not only helps those with HIV be healthy, but ALSO helps prevent the spread of the disease (TasP).
“Thank the people in your life who are living with HIV for trusting you enough to tell you their truth, and return that trust with support and love.”
GLAAD made similar comments in the wake of Sheen’s reveal, as the organization said it hopes a new light can be shined on the 1.2 million “Americans living full lives with HIV today” as a result of Sheen making the topic relevant again.