Bill Johnson, first US skier to win Olympic downhill gold, dead at 55

AP via foxnews.com ^ | January 22, 2016 | AP

[John W]

Bill Johnson, the brash American who became the first U.S. skier to win an Olympic downhill title, died after a long illness, the U.S. ski team said Friday. He was 55.

Megan Harrod, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Alpine team, said Johnson died Thursday at an assisted living facility in Gresham, Oregon.

Johnson's health had been on the decline for several years after a series of strokes.

Johnson won the downhill at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, the first American to capture gold in Alpine skiing's marquee event. He was also the first American male to win an Olympic gold in any Alpine event.

[lodi90]

American legend. That race to gold in 1984 was epic. RIP.

[Mase]

After he won the gold medal a reporter asked him how it felt. He said it was better than stealing cars.

The Euro snobs looked down on him but he was a master at getting inside their heads. He was an expert at intimidating them and had no fear. When he would run into them in the village he would tell them right to their faces: "I'm gonna win the gold." His winning race is right up there with Franz Klammer for edge of the seat excitement. Wish his life after the olympics had gone better for him. He was a real character.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Sad. RIP.

[Talisker]

] As of February, 2014, after a return to long-term care, he was free of infection, able to move one side of his body, eat and smoke with assistance, and communicate using a letter board.[34] However, later again Johnson experienced worsening health. Johnson died on January 21, 2016, at the care facility in Gresham.[35] He was 55.

Smoke? After all those injuries to his brain? He wanted to die.

[John W]

Why begrudge him such at that point and in that condition?

[dfwgator]

His winning race is right up there with Franz Klammer for edge of the seat excitement.

For me, that is still the single-most thrilling moment in Olympic history.

[Talisker]

Why begrudge him such at that point and in that condition?

Not the point. Helping him smoke while he's under a self-made DNR because of multiple, crippling strokes is a form of assisted suicide. It's statistically inevitable. Just calling it what it was.

[the_individual2014]

You are not going to die, you will be fine, no one is plotting to kill old white men off.

[TontoKowalski]

LOL, I can laugh at that.

However, the news story is real. White men are dying younger at a very disproportionate rate.

When I heard the story, I thought it would cause a national crisis. If us working white guys die off, who the hell is going to pay for all the "free" stuff in this country?

[jumpingcholla34]

A great athlete who had a hard life. RIP.

[Kirkwood]

The smoking was probably OKed by his docs since the nicotine would help stimulate his brain (it is similar to aceytlcholine) and would induce more dopamine.

[Nifster]

Or alcohol

[Nifster]

A sad story

[DoughtyOne]

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[Talisker]

The smoking was probably OKed by his docs since the nicotine would help stimulate his brain (it is similar to aceytlcholine) and would induce more dopamine.

Yeah, that's why docs reccommend smoking for stroke patients.

Give it a rest.

[Irish Eyes]

Thanks, loved the clip.

May he Rest in Peace.

[trisham]

Yes, it is very sad. Poor man.

[Defiant]

RIP, Bill Johnson. How I wanted to be you in 1984— so fearless. Sad way for a wild bronco to go out.

[trisham]

He was an amazing athlete. So much fun to watch!

[Mase]

Just watched it again for the first time in a long time. Truly amazing.

Franz Klammer 1976