Fans Down on Downey for Column That Said Magic Shouldn’t Play

Shame, shame, shame on Mike Downey for his column on Magic Johnson. When did you suddenly turn from sports journalist to HIV expert?

I am a health teacher at Huntington Park High, where my students were assigned a question to ask friends, parents and teachers: “Should Magic Johnson be allowed to play in the 1992 Olympics? Why or why not?” Out of 99 responses, their results were 85 “yes” and 14 “no.” Examples of explanations given as to why he should play: “There is extremely low risk of HIV transmission, “He’s not going to have sex on court, “You can’t get it from sweat, and “He’s a positive role model for kids.” Examples of “no” reasons: “He may increase his chance of developing full-blown AIDS,” “He could get sicker,” and finally the one all the kids laughed at, “Because the Australians don’t want him to.”

C’mon, Mike, get smart like my 10th-grade students.

GAIL ROLF

Pasadena