Confidence! “Confidence is evidenced not by always winning, but by not being afraid to take a RISK. “ – Jeff Johnson
WHO: Bob Seagren
WHERE: Madison Square Garden, New York City
WHEN: 1969
WHAT: US Olympic Invitational
My Bob Seagren story: 1964 or so, summer all-comers meet at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA. I am in the 880. Seagren is in the PV, but breaks his pole, has no replacement, jumps in the 880, runs 1:58-59, kicks my butt. (He had run 51-52 for 400IH at Mt.SACJC. He was a good runner.) I told him if was going to kick my butt in the 880, I’d kick his butt in the PV next week. It would be the right thing to do. He wasn’t too worried, probably planning to bring a spare pole next time.
-Jeff Johnson
Editor’s Note: Due to the graciousness of Jeff Johnson, John Goegel and others, we are continuing our series begun last spring and through the cross country season on our sister site newhampshirecrosscountry.com For those of you that don’t know, Jeff Johnson was employee #1 for Nike. He actually is the one responsible for naming what is now a world corporation. Fortunately for us, he was also a world class photographer of our great sports in the 1960s and 1970s during which he captured thousands of sports photographs. We are honored and thankful for their choice to use our sites as their medium for sharing their passion. We hope our presentations can do them justice! Many of his quotes are also being housed on the NHTFCA website.
Photos by Jeff Johnson
Quotes by Jeff Johnson from his work in progress: “In Other Words: Things I Think I Said When I Was Trying To Think Of Something To Say.”
If you are interested in a poster version of a photo from this series, they are available for a small charge.
