Magic Johnson preaches championship practices to Commanders - ESPN

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders are hoping a little Magic can take them a long way.

Magic Johnson, one of their new limited partners, talked to Commanders players and coaches and answered questions for nearly 40 minutes Wednesday, focusing on the characteristics of what they haven't been in a while: a championship team.

Johnson, who won five NBA crowns as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers, talked to the Commanders about what he has done best in his career: win titles.

«You could see how engaged [the players] were because they would lean in listening to every word he was saying,» Washington coach Ron Rivera said. «I was doing the same thing.»

Johnson also won an NCAA title as a player at Michigan State and has won five more titles as a part owner of three other teams. Johnson said in July that one reason he agreed to join new owner Josh Harris' group was because he sensed a desire to build a championship team.

Washington last won a title after the 1991 season and has not won a playoff game since the 2005 season. But there is renewed excitement around the franchise after Dan Snyder sold the team he had owned for 24 years. Washington will play before a home sellout Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Johnson on Wednesday relayed stories about his success, answered questions from some of the players and seized the players' attention — even though few, if any, actually saw him play. The Commanders have 24 players on their roster — including the practice squad and those on injured reserve — who were born before Johnson retired from the NBA for a second time after the 1995-96 season. Punter Tress Way, Washington's oldest player at 33, was 6 when Johnson retired.

Not that it mattered.

«When he walked in, it was