Tag: Magic Johnson

Aaron Donald says Magic Johnson, Warren Sapp were among stars who reached out after he retired

Aaron Donald was flattered by the number of people who reached out after he retired, including LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Warren Sapp

There was an incredible amount of praise and support for Aaron Donald after he announced his retirement from the NFL, from fans to analysts to former and current players. It was overwhelming for Donald, who put together a Hall of Fame career in just 10 seasons in the league.

Donald was blown away by the amount of love he received from everyone after he hung up his cleats, with several big stars reaching out to him and recognizing what a terrific career he had in the NFL.

During an appearance on Chris Long’s “Green Light Podcast” this week, Donald revealed some of the legends who reached out to him.

“A lot of people reached out. I know a lot of people on social media reached out,” Donald said. “There was so much stuff when it came out, like, you want to see everything but it was so overwhelming, it was so much that you couldn’t even see it. So a lot of things that my brother showed me or my wife had to show me as far as, like, LeBron reaching out. Magic Johnson reached out. (Kevin) Durant reached out. A lot of people that are great players and great in their era and did a lot of great things reached out just to congratulate me on my career. It’s pretty special, bro, when you think about how many people reached out. Warren Sapp reached out. A bunch of guys.”

Like Donald, Sapp is one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history so to get some recognition from him must’ve felt pretty special for Donald – even if Sapp did doubt his greatness a few years ago when he called out the Rams star for his run defense.

Donald deserves all of the recognition and praise he’s received throughout his career and it’ll continue to pour in when he eventually gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years from now.

Magic Johnson is officially a billionaire according to Forbes

Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson has hit a new pantheon of success as an entrepreneur.

This has been a good week for former Los Angeles Lakers players. Jerry West, one of their most legendary players who was perhaps even more influential for them as an executive in the 1980s and 1990s, was voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the third time, this time as a contributor.

Michael Cooper, perhaps their most important non-star during the Showtime era, also was voted into the Hall of Fame after missing the cut multiple times in recent years.

In addition, Magic Johnson, arguably the greatest Laker of them all, is now worth in excess of $1 billion. He was included in Forbes magazine’s list of new billionaires for 2024.

Via Forbes:

“NBA legend and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson is new this year, too, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, thanks to investments in professional sports teams, movie theaters, Starbucks franchises, real estate and healthcare.”

After leading the Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s, Johnson embarked on a second career as an entrepreneur. Among other things, he opened a chain of movie theaters and became a part-owner of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and the NFL’s Washington Commanders.

Eight years after Johnson’s ownership group took over the Dodgers in 2012, they won the World Series for the first time since 1988. Meanwhile, the Commanders, after many years of being a laughingstock, could be setting themselves up for future success.

Magic Johnson loves what the Commanders have done so far in hiring Dan Quinn

Magic Johnson is a big believer in new head coach Dan Quinn.

When Magic Johnson was revealed as a minority partner in Josh Harris’ bid to own the Washington Commanders last year, he made it clear this wasn’t a vanity thing for him. Johnson, who has plenty of experience in sports ownership, was here to win.

Johnson often tweets about his favorite teams, specifically his beloved Los Angeles Lakers. Last season, he added the Commanders to that list. While his tweets were often positive, Johnson appeared to express some frustration after some early-season losses.

Since January, Harris, Johnson and other members of Washington’s ownership group have made massive changes. Those changes began by firing Ron Rivera and hiring the top GM candidate available, Adam Peters.

While many believed the Commanders would hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach, they eventually hired Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn’s hiring was praised across the NFL, as most believed he deserved a second shot at being a head coach after over five seasons as the Falcons’ head coach from 2015-20.

Since his arrival, Quinn has hired a terrific coaching staff. Washington was then active in free agency, signing several players to improve a 4-13 roster.

So far, Johnson likes what he has seen.

“We’re excited because Coach Quinn has been a head coach in the league before,” Johnson said in an interview with WUSA9 in Washington. “He took the Falcons to the Super Bowl. He’s done an amazing job with the Cowboys.”

Quinn spent the past three seasons in Dallas, where he led the Cowboys to top-five finishes in total defensive DVOA each season, per FTN.

“We needed an outstanding leader, and we got one in Coach Quinn,” Johnson said. “And, so, now he’s put together an amazing staff. So it’s up to us to do a good job in free agency and the draft and just build it and take steps. You got two teams in our division that we’re trying to catch, and that’s the Cowboys and the Eagles. And so we got to take steps to do that and build our team the right way.”

Johnson himself was reportedly involved in Quinn and the Commanders’ hiring of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who many believed had agreed to join the Raiders in the same role.

Everything is good for Washington right now. The Commanders have had a strong free-agency period and hold nine picks in next month’s 2024 NFL draft, beginning at No. 2 overall.

‘We done with the 90s’ is trending on NBA Twitter: ‘Michael Jordan had no left’

It started on TikTok and it’s now an open revolt online that’s setting NBA discourse on fire with younger fans claiming they’ve been deceived about basketball in the 90s. TikTok user @esquiresports showcased plays from the 1991 NBA Finals, featuring …

It started on TikTok and it’s now an open revolt online that’s setting NBA discourse on fire with younger fans claiming they’ve been deceived about basketball in the 90s.

TikTok user @esquiresports showcased plays from the 1991 NBA Finals, featuring Michael Jordan‘s Bulls and Magic Johnson‘s Lakers, suggesting that era was overrated. The debate quickly raged on as fans questioned the quality of play in the past.

@esquiresports

Why is nobody within five feet of “the greatest player of all time” ? @esqmichael #michaeljordan #magicjohnson #lakers #chicagobulls #lebron #greenscreen

♬ original sound – esquiresports

Here’s how NBA Twitter is reacting to the ‘We done with the 90s’ trend:

JuJu Watkins’ uniform got bloodied vs Colorado, creating a Magic Johnson moment

JuJu Watkins’ No. 12 USC jersey got bloodied, so she had to wear another number. Laker fans loved it.

There are three iconic No. 32s in Los Angeles sports. One is Sandy Koufax. One is Orenthal James Simpson, otherwise known as O.J. The other one belongs to arguably the greatest point guard in the history of basketball, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the Los Angeles Laker legend whose imprint on basketball is unmistakable. Through an accident and a completely unexpected twist of fate, USC’s JuJu Watkins joined Magic Johnson as a famous basketball player to wear No. 32 for a Los Angeles-based team.

We’ll tell you how it happened, given that JuJu’s normal jersey number is 32. This was part of the drama on an emotional night in the Galen Center, where USC handled Colorado, 87-81, to move within one game of first place in the Pac-12 and took another step toward a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Here are some of the details from JuJu’s “Magic” moment:

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce talks Magic Johnson’s recruitment of Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury

Antonio Pierce confirms, yes, Magic Johnson helped recruit Kliff Kingsbury to Washington.

As it turns out, Magic Johnson did help deliver Kliff Kingsbury to the Washington Commanders as offensive coordinator.

Two weeks ago, it appeared that Kingsbury was landing back in the NFL as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. Then, the next day, we heard Kingsbury was in the mix to be the next offensive coordinator for Dan Quinn and the Commanders.

What happened?

On Feb. 5, NFL insider Ian Rapoport went on the NFL Network to say it was Johnson — one of Washington’s minority owners — who helped Kingsbury decide the Commanders were the right fit for him.

We didn’t hear anything else regarding Johnson and Kingsbury.

Until this week.

New Raiders coach — and former Washington linebacker — Antonio Pierce joined “The Pivot” podcast with another former Washington player, Ryan Clark, where he was asked about Kingsbury ending up with the Commanders.

Pierce gave a nod to Johnson.

“National Football League, not for long,” Pierce said when Clark asked him what happened with Kingsbury. “So, you’re right; I thought we had a guy, but not for long. Til you put pen to paper, that’s the one thing I’ve learned. No different than in free agency. Teams are recruiting, and things are going on. Listen, Magic Johnson is pretty good. I guess he can still dish it out a little bit. If I’m losing to Magic, I’m ok with that. At the end of the day, if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be. That’s fine.”

Here’s the exact clip:

Pierce and Clark go way back. Pierce entered the NFL in 2001 as an undrafted free agent from Arizona. Marty Schottenheimer gave him a chance, and he’d eventually become a starting linebacker. Clark joined Washington in 2004, and they instantly became friends as former undrafted free agents and unsung heroes on a terrific defense.

As for Johnson, it’s good to see the Commanders using every resource available, including one of the best athletes of all time, to help them land the coach they wanted.

Here’s the entire episode:

Former NFL player and current analyst hates the Commanders’ name

You can add another to the list who doesn’t like the team name.

When Josh Harris and his ownership group took control of the Washington Commanders in July, they made it clear their immediate priorities were not another rebranding but instead focusing on the upcoming season and improving FedEx Field.

However, they didn’t rule it out, either, with limited partner Magic Johnson saying on NBC’s TODAY Show, “Everything was on the table.”

The rebranding, of course, centers around the team’s name. While many longtime fans hate the name “Commanders,” others are excited about the franchise again since Dan Snyder sold the team.

Fans aren’t the only ones who don’t like the name. Former players have been outspoken regarding the name. Others around the NFL hate the name, too.

Former NFL player Solomon Wilcots has worked in the media world for years. You can add him to the list of those who hate Washington’s name.

“Everyone knows they should change that name, by the way,” Wilcots said on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan this week in Las Vegas via Lou DiPietro of Audacy. When co-host Grant Paulsen asked Wilcots if that name worked for him, he quickly replied, “No.”

“Is it good for you?” Wilcots said. “We are all almost unanimous about that. That’s a crowded bus.”

Paulsen then told Wilcots that Harris sometimes chooses to use Washington Football instead of saying “Commanders,” something Wilcots appreciated.

“Smart man! I love Washington Football Team as a name,” Wilcots said. “That was better than this thing.”

The Commanders used the name “Football Team” for two seasons following their initial name change in July 2020.

Washington just completed GM and head coaching searches and must finish its coaching staff. Next, the Commanders look toward free agency and the NFL draft. A new name isn’t in the cards — for now.

Magic Johnson helped Commanders seal the deal with Kliff Kingsbury as OC

Magic Johnson still dishing out assists.

Magic Johnson is one of the NBA’s all-time leaders in assists. Since retiring, he has become one of America’s most successful businessmen.

Last summer, Johnson had NFL ownership to his growing portfolio as one of the minority partners in Josh Harris’ successful bid to buy the Washington Commanders. Johnson often tweets after games and was recently a part of Harris’ search committee to find a new general manager and head coach.

The Commanders have a new GM (Adam Peters) and head coach (Dan Quinn).

Washington also has a new offensive coordinator, as the Commanders officially announced former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as Washington’s new offensive boss.

So, what do Johnson and Kingsbury have in common?

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Johnson helped seal the deal for Kingsbury and the Commanders.

“When you a defensive coach like Dan Quinn, the No. 1 question is ‘Who is going to be your offensive coordinator?'” Rapoport said. “This is as big as it gets for the Washington Commanders. To look at the flip that happened when he was with the Raiders, my understanding is Magic Johnson, who is a limited partner with the Commanders, was actually the one to step in and kind of pull Kliff Kingsbury back and go, ‘You know what if this deal with the Raiders isn’t perfect, maybe there’s a home for you in Washington.'”

Kingsbury and the Raiders allegedly had a deal where he would have been Antonio Pierce’s new offensive coordinator. However, talks broke down, and the two sides went in different directions, allowing Kingsbury to sign with the Commanders.

Long after he retired, Magic Johnson is still dishing out assists.

 

Ben Johnson ‘turned off’ by Commanders’ owners, calling them ‘basketball guys’

Hopefully, this drama is over and both sides can move forward.

We have finally heard from Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson regarding his opinion on the Washington Commanders after he pulled out of consideration for their head coaching job.

Or have we?

On Saturday, courtesy of Jenna Laine, who covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN, we’ve heard what Johnson thinks of Commanders’ ownership.

Per Laine, he believed Washington’s new owners were “basketball guys” who thought a little too highly of their “football opinions.”

Here’s Laine’s tweet:

This comes after the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo revealed some interesting info on Johnson’s interviews with the Commanders and Seahawks. According to Garafolo, Johnson didn’t do well in his first interview, which caused Washington some hesitation.

After the initial interview, per Garafolo, it caused some concern from Washington’s side, but it wanted to follow through with the second interview. Johnson famously canceled the interview with the Commanders while they were en route to Detroit to meet him.

That didn’t go over too well. Essentially, Garafolo said, Johnson withdrew from two jobs he already knew he wouldn’t get.

Truth or fiction? Who knows.

However, Laine confirmed many of the reports that Johnson did not interview well.

As far as calling Washington’s ownership group “basketball guys,” that one is interesting. New general manager Adam Peters was in on the meeting, as was former Vikings GM Rick Spielman. Sure, owner Josh Harris and minority partners Magic Johnson and David Blitzer are “basketball guys,” but they are also extremely smart businessmen who are experienced sports owners.

Here’s what we think. There is probably truth to a lot of this from both sides. Johnson hasn’t interviewed particularly well, or it would not come from so many different sources. With that being said, he was clearly Washington’s top choice. Perhaps the Commanders did move on from him and wanted him to change their minds in the second meeting to be certain of their collective decision.

How do we know it’s Washington leaking these details? Perhaps it was Seattle or even Carolina. We just don’t know. Before Ron Rivera was fired last month, nearly everyone in the media pegged Johnson to Washington. Something happened. There was too much smoke connecting the two sides.

In all likelihood, Johnson had some support from Washington’s search committee, but others, not so much. So, the Commanders’ brass wanted another interview. It never happened, as Johnson let them know via text that he was no longer interested.

Will that hurt Johnson down the road? Who knows? Turning down these types of opportunities is difficult because you may never be this hot of a candidate again. The most revealing part of this entire process was Johnson being comfortable enough to send a text to Washington brass while they were in the air and on the way to see him, only for him to say he wasn’t interested — via text. That’s a problem. And it’s a bad look.

The Commanders hired Dan Quinn on Thursday, and it’s best for everyone involved to move forward. Ultimately, it’s as simple as these two sides weren’t compatible.

Johnson will never coach in Washington.

Dan Quinn wanted the Commanders’ job before it was open

One source told a local radio host last month that Dan Quinn badly wanted the Washington job.

On Thursday, a local radio show host took great joy in being right about Dan Quinn being named the Commanders’ new head coach.

Chris Russell, the Team 980 host (1-4 pm, M-F), began his show with a bang. “We have something to be excited about!” Russell howled. “The Commanders have hired themselves a great head coach! That a boy, Adam Peters! That a boy, Josh (Harris), Magic (Johnson), Mark Ein, Mitchell Rales!”

Russell then reminded his listeners that he needed to be honest, admitting that Raheem Morris was his first choice when the process was launched. “Raheem Morris was No. 1 on my list. But Dan Quinn, as soon as Raheem Morris was off of the board, was the guy that I was hoping would get this job.”

“I told you guys, the day after the Dallas Cowboys game, the final game of the season, that I was told by someone in the Dallas Cowboys organization that Dan Quinn wanted this job and was very eagerly anticipating a call from the Commanders. He got it the next morning and wanted this job in the worst way.”

“Yelling into his microphone, Russell continued, “Boy Wonder, Ben Johnson did not want the job! The hell with him! Mike Macdonald didn’t want the job! The hell with him!”

“Dan Quinn wanted the job! (He) was aching to be the head coach of the Washington Commanders! And yet, some of you are already poo-pooing that, like you got a piece of discarded trash! People, adjust your prism. That’s absurd.”

Russell then reminded his listeners who were criticizing Quinn’s hiring that Quinn did not come to the Commanders because he would have all the power. He is not; he is working for Adam Peters, the GM.

The afternoon host then reminded his listeners that Quinn has much experience, having won an NFC Championship with Atlanta and gone 10-6, winning a playoff game the year after offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s departure.

His opening closed with Russell challenging his callers to call him and say why they do NOT believe in second chances for Dan Quinn when they certainly believe in second chances for themselves and their family.

Commanders Wire welcomes Dan Quinn to the Commanders. Hope you can get this thing turned around and enjoy a decade of success here, Dan.