He was 86. He died a day later. Upshaw would barely beat Johnson. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday.He was 86. Rafer Johnson RAFER Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. He was 86. He … Rafer Johnson He began acting in movies, including appearances in 'Wild in the Country' with Elvis Presley, 'None But the Brave' with Frank Sinatra and the 1989 James Bond film 'License to Kill.' Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, has died. Yang earned silver and Kuznetsov took bronze. (Right) Rafer Johnson of Kingsburg, California is congratulated by International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage after presentation of the gold medal for the decathlon, Monte Upshaw, of Piedmont High School in the low hurdles dueling with Rafer Johnson of Kingsbury, at the state high school track meet in 1954. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, has died. He was 86. He was 86. … He died at his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles, according to family friend Michael Roth. Vind hoogwaardige nieuwsfoto's in een hoge resolutie op Getty Images The decathlete died at his home in Sherman Oaks, LA, on Wednesday and his death was confirmed by family. Johnson was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, the school that he attended said in a statement. In this July 28, 1984, file photo, Rafer Johnson, winner of the gold medal for the decathlon in 1960, lights the Olympic torch during opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in LA. “And to Rosey Grier, who said that he’d take care of … At 6-foot-3 and 200-plus pounds, he looked more like a linebacker than a track and field athlete. He died at his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles, according to family friend Michael Roth. Johnson set world records in the decathlon three different times amid a fierce rivalry with his UCLA teammate C.K. Rafer Johnson, oro olímpico de decatlón en los Juegos Olímpicos de Roma 1960 y una de las personas que redujo al asesino de Robert F. Kennedy en 1968, falleció este miércoles a los 86 años. The 1960 Olympic decathlon champ assisted his Feelow Sportsman, Los Angeles Rams tackle Rosey Grier, in overpowering suspected assassin Sirhan Bashira Sirhan. They eventually settled in Kingsburg, near Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley. "But when you start out on the field, everyone is equal. He went on to claim a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Winter storm kills 23 across the country and 3.5m freezing Texans STILL have no power: Gov. That is the important idea.". LeBron James 'signs two-year, $85million extension' with... Pat Patterson, wrestling's first gay star, dies at 79:... Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. US entry for Decathlon Rafer Johnson (C) and Formasa Yang Chuan Kwang (R) during training session at Olympics prior to the 1960 Games. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, has died. He was 86. His children, Jenny Johnson Jordan and Josh Johnson, were athletes themselves. Johnson won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1955 while competing in just his fourth decathlon. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Johnson was a standout student and played football, basketball, baseball and track and field at Kingsburg Joint Union High. He … Olympic star and film actor Rafer Johnson has sadly died aged 86. Johnson went on to found California Special Olympics the following year at a time when positive role models for the intellectually and physically disabled were rare. Johnson was known for being a gold medal winner who helped disarm Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968. And then, a few weeks later — at the request of Kennedy’s sister Eunice Shriver — Rafer Johnson found himself in Chicago, at Soldier Field, for the first national Special Olympics. Johnson retired from competition after the Rome Olympics. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Johnson later called the assassination 'one of the most devastating moments in my life. He was 86. He was 86. The double-tragedy hit Rafer Johnson hard. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. It was the last time Johnson would ever come in second. Our. In June 1968, Rafer Johnson was with Robert F. Kennedy when the senator was shot at an L.A. hotel. Present when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968, he helped subdue the gunman, Sirhan Sirhan. Later that year at a U.S.-Soviet dual meet in Moscow, Johnson beat Kuznetzov by 405 points and reclaimed the world record with 8,302 points. Johnson was left traumatised and depressed by Kennedy's assassination but he went on to help launch the Special Olympics, the athletics event for disabled children. Johnson was among the world's greatest athletes from 1955 through his Olympic triumph in 1960, winning a national decathlon championship in 1956 and a silver medal at the Melbourne Olympics that same year. Hij raakte geïnspireerd in atletiek door de successen van Amerikaanse tienkamper Bob Mathias. Rafer Johnson, the world decathlon champion who carried the Stars and Stripes at the opening of the 1960 Rome Olympics and became a lifelong Kennedy family friend and Special Olympics ambassador, died at age 86 on Dec. 2 at his home in Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES -- Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Yang was his primary competition in Rome. Although some sources cite Johnson's birth year as 1935, the family has said that is incorrect. For a while, they were the only black family in the town. Rafer Johnson, American athlete and actor, who won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. He was 86. When Bobby Kennedy was shot dead in 1968, while seeking the US presidency, it needed the reactions and athleticism of an Olympic decathlon champion to leap instantly on the assailant. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Josh competed in javelin at UCLA, where he was an All-American. Rafer Johnson, Olympic Champion Who Helped Subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s Assassin, Dies at 86 this link is to an external site that may or … Throughout his life, Johnson was widely known for his humanitarian efforts. It was less than 25 miles from Tulare, the hometown of Mathias, who would win the decathlon at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics and prove an early inspiration to Johnson. Rafer Johnson, the Olympian who helped tackle Robert Kennedy's assassin, dies at 86 Back to video Johnson was the flag bearer for the U.S. delegation at the 1960 Summer Games in Rome, the first Black American to receive the honour. According to the LA Times, Johnson once said: "It seems funny to say winning is not all-important - I always want to win, and no one likes to lose. https://www.marca.com/atletismo/2020/12/03/5fc93397e2704e58478b4611.html Johnson then covered the 1964 Olympics for NBC as a TV reporter and then worked as a sports anchor for KNBC in LA. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. He met Kennedy, then the US attorney general, at an awards dinner in 1961 and they soon became friends. Johnson was helping Kennedy's presidential campaign when the candidate was shot in June 1968. Johnson said he twisted Sirhan’s fingers to get the gun and put it in his pocket before he later handed it over to police. Rafer Johnson, American athlete and actor, who won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Yang of Taiwan and Vasily Kuznetsov of the former Soviet Union. LOS ANGELES -- Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. No cause of death was announced. Johnson was born on August 18, 1934, in Hillsboro, Texas. “To my old friend, if I may, Rafer Johnson, is here,” Kennedy said to applause as he looked off to his left. LOS ÁNGELES (AP) — Rafer Johnson, quien ganó el decatlón en los Juegos Olímpicos de Roma 1960 y ayudó a someter al asesino del candidato Robert F. Kennedy en 1968, falleció el miércoles. https://usdaynews.com/celebrities/rafer-johnson-death-cause Get testing. Op de middelbare school was Johnson actief in rugby, honkbal en basketbal. He was 86. Johnson … On June 5, 1968, Johnson was working on Kennedy's presidential campaign when the Democratic candidate was shot in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Rafer Johnson, who was among the world's greatest athletes when he won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics, and who helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died in Los Angeles. He was 86. “Rafer Johnson, the person and the athlete, ... Rafer Johnson, is here,” Kennedy announced to supporters during the joyous speech delivered after his victory in … American Olympic athlete Rafer Johnson carries the flag for the American team in the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremonies of Games of the XVII Olympiad, Rome in 1960, Johnson (left) pictured during the Olympic torch relay before the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Rafer Johnson, a vaunted decathlete who won Olympic gold for the US at the 1960 games and later tackled the assassin of Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, died Wednesday. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. He remained active for many years at UCLA, serving on various committees and boards. He died at his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles, according to family friend Michael Roth. He … He was 86. Rafer Johnson, medallista de Juegos Olímpicos de 1960, jugador de Rams de NFL y trabajador de John F. Kennedy, falleció a la edad de 86 años Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy´s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. A car accident and subsequent back injury kept Johnson out of competition during 1959, but he was healthy again for the Olympics in 1960. https://www.the-sun.com/news/1899762/olympic-hero-rafer-johnson-dead The latter school, which has classes for special education students from the ages of birth-5, also puts on an annual Rafer Johnson Day. Jenny was a beach volleyball player who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and is on the coaching staff of UCLA's beach volleyball team. Senator Robert Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. The comments below have not been moderated. Immediately after he announced to his cheering supporters that the country was ready to end its fractious divisions, Kennedy was shot several times by the 22-year-old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. At UCLA, Johnson played basketball for coach John Wooden, becoming a starter on the 1958-59 team. He was 86. Olympian Rafer Johnson dies. Kennedy … The Kingsburg native was 86. Rafer Johnson of the United States competes in the Decathlon competition during the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, 'Standing there and looking out, I remember thinking "I wish I had a camera,"' Johnson said. Johnson was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, the school that he attended said in a statement. Rafer Johnson was known for being a gold medal winner who helped disarm Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968 Yang won six of the first nine events, but Johnson led by 66 points going into the 1,500 meters, the decathlon's final event. Kuznetzov, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist who the Soviets called their 'man of steel,' broke Johnson's world record in May 1958 with 8,016 points. He later appeared in various films, including Licence to Kill (1989). As a freshman at UCLA, where he received academic and athletic scholarships, Johnson won gold at the the 1955 Pan Am Games, and set a world record of 7,985 points. Rafer Johnson, Olympic Champion Who Helped Subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s Assassin, Dies at 86 Rafer Johnson won gold at the 1960 Olympics and tackled the killer of … LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Kennedy had welcomed contact with the public during the campaign, and people had often tried to touch him in their excitement. Rafer Johnson was known for being a gold medal winner who helped disarm Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968, Our free email newsletter sends you the biggest headlines from news, sport and showbiz. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, has died. Kennedy's only security was provided by former FBI agent William Barry and two unofficial bodyguards: Olympic decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson and former football player Rosey Grier. Johnson worked for the Peace Corps, March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy Association and American Red Cross. Rafer Johnson, center, won the gold; Taiwan’s Yang Chuan, left, the silver; and Russia’s Vasili Kuznetsov the bronze. He bravely apprehended Sirhan Sirhan moments after he shot Kennedy. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Rafer's role with Special Olympics began with an unexpected phone call from an unexpected caller. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Published: 13:49 EST, 2 December 2020 | Updated: 15:58 EST, 2 December 2020. He was also elected class president in both junior high and high school. 'My hair was standing straight up on my arm. Rafer Johnson, who became known as the world’s greatest athlete after winning the Olympic decathlon in 1960 and who later raced to subdue Robert F. Kennedy… And then, a few weeks later — at the request of Kennedy’s sister Eunice Shriver — Rafer Johnson found himself in Chicago, at Soldier Field, for the first national Special Olympics. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports Johnson won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1955 while competing in … Johnson won the Pan American Games in 1955 before breaking the world record for the decathlon. A versatile athlete, he played on Kingsburg High School's football, baseball and basketballteams. Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Play it now. In 2016, he received the UCLA Medal, the university's highest award for extraordinary accomplishments. The summer between his sophomore and junior years in high school (age 16), his coach Murl Dodson drove Johnson 24 … Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. His Olympic career included carrying the U.S. flag at the 1960 Games and lighting the torch at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to open the 1984 Games. His family moved to Kingsburg, California, when he was aged nine. Peter Ueberroth, who chose Johnson to light the Olympic torch in 1984, called him 'just one great person, a marvelous human being.'. (Image: Peter Dasilva/EPA/REX/Shutterstock), Janet Evans, Tom Cruise, Vitali Klitschko and Rafer Johnson in 2004, (Image: Picture Perfect/REX/Shutterstock), Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers, Don't miss our coronavirus newsletter with all the essential information, Man left with eye-watering Valentine’s Day bill after misreading wine list, A man who misread the price of a bottle of wine while dining on Valentine's Day was left open-mouthed when he received the bill but said there was "no going back", McDonald's customers left open-mouthed as worker shows how they track drive-thru orders, The fast food chain deals with thousands of customers every day at their drive-thru's, but some people were left open-mouthed after a franchise store showed how they track orders, Captain Sir Tom Moore would have been broken if he knew about cruel abuse, says daughter, Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore has blasted the "vile minority" who criticised a family trip to the Caribbean, which took place just over a month before her father passed away, Royal Mail postman suspended after leaving weak pensioner, 72, lying in the snow, A postman has been suspended by the Royal Mail and could reportedly face the sack if he's found guilty of gross misconduct after leaving pensioner Patricia Stewart lying in the snow, Lockdown roadmap brings back socialising, holidays, pubs and 'normal' life by July, Ministers and industry leaders are said to be discussing a new blueprint for living with coronavirus that would see a gradual reversal of the crippling lockdown restrictions imposed since January, Mum couldn't recognise herself in mirror before finding out she had brain tumour, Alina Wirzynkiewicz, 33, was getting ready to take one of her children to a school parents evening when she suddenly couldn't recognise herself in the mirror, Russia to unlock 50,000-year-old prehistoric viruses from creatures frozen in time, Kremlin scientists are extracting prehistoric viruses from ancient animals frozen in permafrost, including some samples from the world's coldest city, Family-of-5 living in overcrowded one-bed council flat with 'holes in ceiling', The family have been left in limbo with Birmingham City Council despite two healthcare professionals believing the 'unacceptable conditions' are affecting their mental health, Female police officer, 24, faces sack for 'breaking lockdown before drink-drive crash', Pc Tasia Stephens, 24, was off duty on the night of April 25 last year when she allegedly attended a family event and later failed a breathalyser test after crashing her car, Plans for nationwide 'surge' testing with 400,000 sent to homes across country every day, Boris Johnson is due to lay out the provisionally titled 'Are you ready? Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday at age 86. Something went wrong, please try again later. Rafer Johnson, the world decathlon champion who carried the Stars and Stripes at the opening of the 1960 Rome Olympics and became a lifelong Kennedy family friend and Special Olympics ambassador, died at age 86 on Dec. 2 at his home in Los Angeles. The school's track is named for Johnson and his wife Betsy. Present when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in … RFK assassanation How Rosey Grier and Rafer Johnson became friends with Robert Kennedy. No cause of death was announced. He was 86. The year was 1968, and the country was reeling from the spring assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. (in April) and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (in June). Born Rafer Lewis Johnson on August 18, 1934, in Hillsboro, Texas, he moved to California in 1945 with his family, including his brother Jim, a future NFL Hall of Fame inductee. In this September 5, 1960, file photo, Rafer Johnson of the United States competes in the shot put event of the Olympic decathlon competition in Rome, Italy. Rafer heaved the shot 51 feet 10 3/4 inches to score 976 points and lead the field in this event. He lit the torch at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He was named The Associated Press Athlete of the Year and won the Sullivan Award as the nation's outstanding amateur athlete in 1960. He died at his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles, according to family friend Michael Roth. Gregg Abbot demands investigation into energy company that may not be able to restore heat for days, How the US energy powerhouse failed its residents: Texas gas pipes and wind turbines froze because operators made virtually NO preparations for cold weather and state's only electricity firm was crushed by surging demand, Ghislaine Maxwell is losing her hair, is a 'withering shell of her former self' and was physically abused by a guard during pat down at Brooklyn jail, her lawyer claims, Biden says every president EXCEPT Trump has called him and admits he had never been in the White House residence before - despite being Obama's VP for eight years, Biden slaps down two demands from left-wing Democrats: President WON'T write off $50,000 in student debts and says he would compromise on timing of $15 minimum wage, 'Get off your a** and take care of your own family': Texas mayor quits after criticizing 'lazy' snowed-in residents for complaining about power outages and saying the 'weak will perish', Law firm that represented Trump in his bid to overturn the election is HACKED: Cyber-criminals steal 100GB of files and post them on the dark web, REVEALED: Trump deleted line saying Mitch McConnell has 'too many chins but not enough smarts' from brutal statement calling him 'a dour, sullen and unsmiling political hack' who's 'destroying' the GOP, Convicted sex offender, 65, claims his rights have been violated after cops seized his cigarette butt and found DNA that matched sperm found on 1986 cold-case murder victim, New York Times reporter Donald McNeil DISPUTES claims of racism on his Peru trip in an email to friends and says the students may have had 'false memories' of his remarks, Biden promises a vaccine for all Americans who want one by the end of JULY and believes there could be herd immunity by Christmas, Biden promises majority of schools will be open FIVE DAYS  a week by end of his first 100 days - and says there could be an extra summer semester to make up for lost time, Biden promises to end jail time for drug offenses in favor or rehab and insists he DOESN'T support defunding the police, 'I'm tired of talking about Trump': Biden dodges questions on his predecessor's impeachment acquittal - but says he will let the DOJ decide if he is prosecuted for Capitol riot, Former Chargers QB Ryan Leaf says the NFL 'doesn't care' about mental health of players after Vincent Jackson, 38, was found dead in a hotel room, Bill Gates wants to take your steak: Philanthropist says US and other wealthy countries 'should move to 100% synthetic beef' to prevent climate change, Colorado animal shelter volunteer, 18, is 'beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend, 21, in a parking lot', 'She's never been in touch': Black birdwatcher reveals Central Park Karen never directly apologized for lying to the cops about him - as prosecutors DROP charges against her, 'Vile trolls would have broken Captain Tom's heart': British hero's daughter slams online abuse after his death - as she reveals his heartbreaking final moments and shares details of their last family holiday to Barbados, Larry King's widow Shawn tries to stop his eldest son's bid to be appointed the 'administrator' of his $2million will because the TV legend 'didn't know he existed until he was 30', Dance Moms star, 25, is arrested for 'sexual battery of two underage girls in his Orlando dance studio', The Mandalorian's Gina Carano steps out in Los Angeles after claiming she learned she was fired from Star Wars series on social media, Houston's 'Mattress Mack' opens his store so freezing residents with no power can take refuge in the storm: Texans rage as power grid CEO refuses to apologize for deadly outage, Killed trying to stay warm: Mother and daughter, 8, die of carbon monoxide poisoning while using their car for heat and grandmother and three children are killed in a house fire sparked by their fireplace.

Plastic Gas Tank Stickers, Lockheed Model 10 Electra Interior, Yojimbo Custom Scales, Yugioh Eye Of Anubis, Roblox Pose Maker, Anschutz Entertainment Group Publicly Traded, Plant Synchro Deck 2010, 1st Phorm Headquarters Address,