In Memoriam : Rafer Johnson, 1960 Olympic Decathlon champion, dies at 86

Rafer Johnson, the 1960 Olympic decathlon champion, has died at the age of 86.

How did Rafer Johnson pass away

A statement from UCLA said he died at his Sherman Oaks, California, home surrounded by family.

Olympic career

Johnson’s win in Rome in 1960 was one of the most memorable finishes to a decathlon in Olympic history. In a battle with C.K. Yang of Taiwan, Johnson’s UCLA teammate, Johnny held a slim lead going into the 1,500-meter run, the final event. While it was Yang’s best event, Johnson stayed close enough to win the decathlon by just 58 points.

According to Bleacher Report, Johnson said: “I had one advantage. And I don’t think C.K. knew this at the time — this was my last decathlon. I was prepared to run as fast as I had to in this last race of my life.”

Rafer Johnson was also an activist and actor

Johnson, who later became an activist and an actor, also won the silver medal in the 1956 Olympic decathlon.

“We are extremely saddened to lose one of the greatest humans one could hope to know,” said Avery Anderson, UCLA’s director of track & field/cross country.

“Most people know him to be an all-time UCLA and Olympic great as an athlete, but that only scratches the surface of what he gave the world.

“Rafer set the standard of what an icon should be – a humanitarian, a leader, a great friend and mentor, and most importantly a great patriarch to the most wonderful family I’ve ever known.”

Early life

Johnson was born in Hillsboro, Texas on August 18, 1934 and moved to California in middle school, according to USA Track & Field. In high school, he played football, baseball, basketball and track.

UCLA

In 1954, he enrolled at UCLA on academic and athletic scholarships and competed on the track and field team. He won a gold medal in the decathlon at the Pan American Games in 1955. In 1956, he led UCLA to its first NCAA title for track and field.

While at UCLA, Johnson also played two seasons for legendary men’s basketball coach John Wooden, including as a starter in 1958-59, leading the Bruins in field goal percentage. He was third on the team in scoring with 8.2 points per game.

Johnson is a member of the US Olympic and & Paralympic Hall of Fame and the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. He was also instrumental in founding the Special Olympics Southern California.

Rafer Johnson’s family and legacy

Johnson was married to his wife, Betsy, for 49 years, according to USA Track and Field. His daughter, Jenny Johnson-Jordan, was an Olympian in beach volleyball in 2000, and his son, Josh Johnson, was an All-America javelin thrower for UCLA. His brother, Jimmy Johnson, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his career with the San Francisco 49ers.