For decades, Rafer Johnson has shined both on and off the sports field. In the 1960 Olympic Games, he was USA team captain and won the gold medal in the decathlon. In 1984, Rafer lit the cauldron to open the Olympics in Los Angeles.
While Rafer’s celebrity came from sports, he used his influence to change the world. Along with supporting dozens of charities, he founded Special Olympics California in 1969. Special Olympics Southern California will carry on Rafer’s legacy to be