Rafer Johnson
Chronology
1935 | Born August 18, in Hillsboro, Texas |
1945 | Relocates to California with family |
1952 | Enters University of California at Los Angeles |
1958 | Travels to Moscow to participate in first-ever United States-Soviet track meet |
1960 | Carries U.S. flag during opening ceremonies at the Rome Olympics; appears in first feature film, Sergeant Rutledge |
1968 | Disarms Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan |
1969 | Serves as founding board member, California Special Olympics |
1971 | Marries Betsy Thorsen |
1984 | Lights Olympic flame at opening ceremonies of Los Angeles Summer Games |
1998 | Publishes autobiography |
2000 | Travels to Sydney, Australia, to watch daughter compete as Olympic volleyball player |
Additional topics
- Rafer Johnson - Opening Ceremony Honoree Again
- Rafer Johnson - Marched Into Stadium
- Other Free Encyclopedias
Famous Sports StarsTrack and FieldRafer Johnson Biography - Standout Athlete, Marched Into Stadium, Chronology, Opening Ceremony Honoree Again, Contact Information, Awards And Accomplishments - SELECTED WRITINGS BY JOHNSON: