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Magic Johnson: Isiah Spread Rumors I Was Gay

Thomas denies accusation, feels 'really hurt'

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2009 4:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – Magic Johnson blames former friend Isiah Thomas for spreading rumors that Johnson was gay after he announced he had HIV in 1991. "Isiah kept questioning people about it,'' Magic writes. "I couldn't believe that. The one guy I thought I could count on had all these doubts. It was like he kicked me in the stomach.'' Johnson makes the accusations in When The Game Was Ours, a forthcoming book with Larry Bird. Johnson adds that he and others blackballed Thomas from the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

Thomas denies spreading rumors. "I'm really hurt, and I really feel taken advantage of for all these years," he tells Sports Illustrated. "I didn't know he felt this way. Magic acted and responded off some really bad information that he got." Of the Olympic revelation, he says: "I'm glad that he's finally had the nerve and the courage to stand up and say it was him, as opposed to letting Michael Jordan take the blame for it all these years."

In this April 16, 2008, file photo, New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas watches from the bench as his team played the Indiana Pacers in the first half of NBA basketball action in Indianapolis.
In this April 16, 2008, file photo, New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas watches from the bench as his team played the Indiana Pacers in the first half of NBA basketball action in Indianapolis.   (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
In this photo provided by MJ Memorial, former basketball player Earvin Magic Johnson speaks at Michael Jackson's Public Memorial Service held at Staples Center on Tuesday July 7, 2009, in Los Angeles.
In this photo provided by MJ Memorial, former basketball player Earvin Magic Johnson speaks at Michael Jackson's Public Memorial Service held at Staples Center on Tuesday July 7, 2009, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/MJ Memorial, Harrison Funk)
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Let me put it to you this way: He and I were such close friends, if I was questioning his sexuality, then I was questioning mine too. That's how idiotic it is. - Isiah Thomas

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
Forderon
Oct 23, 2009 12:51 PM CDT
The real story here is that Isiah Thomas was always and is still an enormous douchebag, let alone incompetent as just about everything he has done outside of playing basketball. There are just too many stories like this to list. Look them up and you'll see.
PosterNutbag
Oct 23, 2009 12:35 PM CDT
And besides, there is such a closeted-gay thing going on out there already, what with all the tight pants ass-slapping those guys love to indulge in.
PosterNutbag
Oct 23, 2009 12:29 PM CDT
No, I'm not a gay person and I don't have a personal cause that needs validation. I do think that all humans should have equal rights, is that not "your cause" too? I thought your question was answered in my post, it would be something to spice up the tedium of sports, which for me personally used to be fascinating but now I find it to be kind of cheesy and predictable. You know, like when a guy goes against his former team in the championships, there is a little more emotion there, right? It would be interesting to see how teammates, opponents and fans react . I would like to see homophobes have to decide which is more important to them, their bigotry or the success of their team. In terms of coming out of the closet, pro team sports is sort of the final frontier. Coming out of the closet is no small thing, if you look at the life and work of Harvey Milk, he was aware of how important it was for people to realize that there was someone already in their life (friend, co-worker, family member, neighbor, etc) who is gay and who would be hurt by anti-gay legislation.

 
NBA • basketball • HIV • Magic Johnson • Larry Bird • Isiah Thomas • gay

 
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