Rafer Johnson, 1960 Olympic decathlon champion, dies at 86,
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 died at his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles. His death was confirmed by his family. No cause of death was announced.
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.
At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Johnson was the U. S. team’s flag bearer, the first Black American so honored.
In an eventful life, Johnson broke racial barriers, played an unexpected role in the international relations of the Cold War and immersed himself in the turbulent politics of the 1960s. To help disabled children, Johnson co-founded the California Special Olympics in 1969 and served as its president for 10 years.
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. Johnson joined former NFL star Rosey Grier and journalist George Plimpton in apprehending Sirhan Sirhan moments after he shot Kennedy, who died the next day.
NBA
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The move ends Westbrook’s tenure in Houston after just one disappointing season. Westbrook was traded from Oklahoma City or Chris Paul and draft picks in July 2019.
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James’ agency, Klutch Sports, confirmed the deal during the first week of training camp for the NBA champions. The Los Angeles Times reported James’ extension is a two-year, $85 million deal through the 2022-23 season. The four-time NBA champion is getting the maximum deal to extend his tenure in Los Angeles.
College basketball
INDIANA BEATS STANFORD 79-63 >> Trayce Jackson-Davis scored a career- high 31 points and Indiana responded to an ugly loss a day earlier by beating Stanford 79-63 in the third-place game at the relocated Maui Invitational.
Daejon Davis scored 18 points and Oscar da Silva added 17 for Stanford.
Soccer
EARTHQUAKES KEEP HOMEGROWN THOMPSON >> The San Jose Earthquakes signed defender Tommy Thompson to a new multiyear contract. Thompson, entering his eighth year with San Jose, is the club’s longest tenured player currently under contract for the 2021 season.
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The federation’s competitions committee fined the Argentine player for his actions after scoring in Barcelona’s 4- 0 win over Osasuna in the Spanish league on Sunday.
After a strike from outside the box, Messi took off Barcelona’s blue- and-burgundy to reveal the redand- black of Maradona’s jersey from his stint at Newell’s Old Boys.