TORONTO – Following an interview in which he claimed that Nelson Mandela was one of the athletes he grew up watching, Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier went on to state his admiration for the work retired Los Angeles Laker superstar Magic Johnson did to end apartheid in South Africa.
“I remember watching Mr. Johnson speak about the need for reconciliation and racial harmony in South Africa and the world over and I was just blown away by him,” said Bernier.
“I think that is where he got his nickname from right? Because his speeches were so good they were like magic,” he added.
Bernier said his admiration really grew when he found out about the years of struggle and oppression Johnson endured at the hands of the ruling whites, notably Johnson’s longtime rival Larry Bird.
“You could tell that guy was evil just by looking at his mustache,” said Bernier.
At press time Bernier said he was also a big fan of Reverend Michael Jordan’s civil rights work.
