Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest civilian honor — by President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on Saturday.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is designed to recognize individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
It was established by President Harry S. Truman (as the Medal of Freedom) in 1945 to honor service during World War II. President John F. Kennedy reintroduced the recognition as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 to recognize “distinguished civilian service in peace time.”
Johnson is the third individual with Dodgers ties to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, joining Jackie Robinson (1984) and Vin Scully (2016).
I am so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion right now. It is an absolute honor and privilege that President Joe Biden selected me for the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom award. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day… pic.twitter.com/3gFsus16cA
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 4, 2025
Congratulations to Magic Johnson on receiving a Presidential Medal of Freedom!
(🎥: @cspan) pic.twitter.com/n5JqxLv36f— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) January 5, 2025
Johnson is a legendary basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships during his career. Since his retirement, he has become a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who supports underserved communities through his Magic Johnson Foundation.
Johnson joined the Dodgers ownership group during the 2012 season and has won two World Series titles with the organization. He has gone on to win titles as part-owner of the Los Angeles Football Club and Los Angeles Sparks.
Johnson also has a minority stake in the Washington Commanders and Washington Spirit, and hopes to own an NBA franchise one day.
Magic Johnson among 19 to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Johnson was among 19 individuals who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden.
The other recipients are José Andrés, Bono, Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous), Hillary Rodham Clinton, Michael J. Fox, Tim Gill, Jane Goodall, Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous), Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous), Ralph Lauren, Lionel Messi, William Sanford Nye, George W. Romney (posthumous), David M. Rubenstein, George Soros, George Stevens Jr., Denzel Washington and Anna Wintour.
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