Yahoo Sports Magic Johnson, Lionel Messi receive Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden
Johnson and Messi were among a list of honorees that included the likes of Hillary Clinton and Denzel Washington
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 philanthropy 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 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-foot-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.
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. Messi did not attend the ceremony.
Messi's management team told USA Today that the Argentinian midfielder was unable to go to D.C. due to scheduling conflicts, and that he had informed the White House about his absence after learning in December that he would be receiving the medal. Per USA Today, Messi was "deeply honored" by the award and hoped to have a chance to meet Biden in the near future.
Other recipients of the medal included 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.
