America lost a sports icon last night with the passing of Rafer Johnson. At one point, he was viewed as the best athlete in the world after winning the silver medal in the decathlon at the 1956 Olympics followed by the gold in 1960. That same year, (1/4)

he served as flag bearer for the United States Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremony in Rome. Twenty-four years later, he would light the torch at the 1984 Summer Games held in Los Angeles. In addition to acting and sportscasting, (2/4)

Johnson’s post-competition career also included serving on the organizing committee for the inaugural Special Olympics, and he later became a founding member of the California Special Olympics. (3/4)

Johnson also played a pivotal role in one of America’s greatest tragedies. Along with Rosey Grier, he tackled the man who assassinated Robert Kennedy seconds after the shooting. (4/4)

#RIP, Mr. Johnson.