Rodney Milburn

Rodney Milburn, Jr. (May 18, 1950 - November 11, 1997) was an American athlete who won gold at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich in the 110m hurdles.

Later Life

Milburn spent some time coaching young athletes at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but often found himself without a job. The "Hot Rod's" life went quickly downhill and he ended up in a homeless shelter. At a paper plant in Port Hudson, Louisiana, in November 1997, Rodney was overcome by sodium chlorate fumes he was transporting from a rail car.

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His death came as a huge shock to the track and field community who vividly remembered Rodney's achievements on the track.

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