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