Was the final torch bearer and lit the Olympic cauldron at the 1984 Los
Angeles Olympics; was the first torch runner at the Los Angeles Colosseum for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Rafer Johnson was olympic champion 1960 in Rome in decathlon.
As part of Robert F. Kennedy's entourage in Los Angeles, he was present at Kennedy's assassination in 1968, also helping tackle his assassin.
Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, 1983 (charter
member).
Inducted into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame, 1999.
Inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 1994
(inaugural induction).
Inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1974 (inaugural induction).