On Saturday, President Joe Biden honored a number of important figures with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Included in those were two notable athletes, with former NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson and international soccer star Lionel Messi among the honorees.
In a biography read during the ceremony, the White House cited Johnson’s success as a basketball player — citing his accolades as a MVP-winner, Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer — as well as his business empire, his philanthrophy with underserved communities and his groundbreaking advocacy around HIV/AIDS.
“With unmatched vision and versatility, Earvin “Magic” Johnson drove the “Showtime” era for the Los Angeles Lakers … Under the same bright lights, his honesty about his HIV status shattered stigma and saved lives,” the bio read, leading to an applause from the audience. “With a legendary will and smile, Magic Johnson rose from the playground in Lansing, Michigan to become one of the most beloved athletes of our time.”
The 6’9″ Johnson had to squat in order to allow Biden to attach the medal around his neck, prompting a good-hearted laugh from the audience.
Messi did not attend the ceremony. In a press release, the White House cited Messi’s foundation and his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador as part of the basis for the award.
Other recipients of the medal include chef José Andrés, U2 front man Bono, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, actor Michael J. Fox, software programmer and activist Tim Gill, primatologist Jane Goodall, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, science educator Bill Nye, investment firm owner David M. Rubenstein, philanthropist George Soros, director George Stevens Jr., actor Denzel Washington and fashion editor Anna Wintour.
Former Secretary of Defense Ashton Baldwin Carter, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, former attorney general Robert Francis Kennedy and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development George W. Romney were all honored with the award posthumously.
