By Matt Wenzel | mwenzel2@mlive.com
EAST LANSING – Magic Johnson may be the most famous among the more than 500,000 living Michigan State alumni worldwide.
The legendary basketball player turned billionaire businessman added the nation’s highest civilian honor to his resume on Saturday when President Joe Biden awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“I think that’s great for everybody but I think it’s great for our university and for Michigan State to have one of our former guys get such a prestigious honor,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said on Monday. “As I read through why he got the award, you realize how many things he did.”
Johnson, a Lansing native who starred at Everett High School, led Michigan State to the 1979 national championship before going on to win five NBA titles and three MVP awards with the Lakers. He was one of 19 individuals awarded with the medal on Saturday, joining Hillary Clinton, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox and the late George Romney, former governor of Michigan, among others.
“I am so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion right now,” Johnson wrote in part of a message on social media. “It is an absolute honor and privilege that President Joe Biden selected me for the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom award. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and receive one of the highest civilian awards of the United States.”
As Biden was handing out the medals, Johnson bent over his 6-foot-9 frame so the outgoing President could put it around his neck in the White House. That drew a laugh from those looking on in the East Room.
“For the final time as President, I have the honor of bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said. “So let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country.”
Johnson, 65, is considered arguably the best point guard in history and changed the game as a big man who dazzled with his ball handling, passing and scoring. He briefly retired from the NBA in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV.
“He stood out there when he was going through a tough time and took the bullets and took people talking,” Izzo said, “and he became an advocate for it.”
Since his playing days ended, Johnson has become highly successful in the business world. He has ownership stakes in the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles Football Club of the MLS.
“That’s what’s cool, that’s what makes me keep wanting to go,” Izzo said. “He’s getting older and he’s getting better, he’s doing more and people are recognizing that and I’m really proud of him for that. From all of us here, Earvin, congratulations.”