Skip to main content
Return to Athlete Stories

Brad Johnson

Sport: Sailing (2004, 2012) Sitting Volleyball (2000 - 2011)
Residence: Pompano Beach, Florida

Although Brad grew up in Milwaukee, WI, he always had a deep love of the water. Knowing at a young age that he wanted to be close to the sea, he left Milwaukee to attend the University of Florida.

After taking his law school entrance exams, Brad was traveling along Interstate 75 when his automobile hydroplaned into a guardrail. In a matter of seconds he lost his left leg below the knee and his right leg above the knee. One year after the accident, Brad began law school at the University of South Florida.

After graduating from USF, he was introduced to disability sports. He started training and competing with the men’s sitting volleyball team.

Soon after his training began, Brad made the national team and competed at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Upon returning from Sydney, he continued to play sitting volleyball, but also pursued his interest in sailing. In 2003, Brad was asked to try out for the mainsail position on a Sonar class boat, competing for the #1 team position on the U.S. Sailing Team. Subsequently, the team won the #1 position and began training for the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. Unfortunately, athletes are not permitted to compete in two team sports, so Brad was presented with a difficult choice, sitting volleyball or sailing. Brad competed in sailing for the 2004 Paralympic Games. Brad is a member of the 2012 Paralympic sailing team competing in London.

Career Highlights

  • 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships: 10th Place- Edmond, OK
  • 2007 Silver Medal, sitting volleyball: Para Pan American Games
  • 2004 Bronze Medal, sonar class, sailing: Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece

Brad works closely with The Hartford, Founding Partner of U.S. Paralympics®, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, helping to positively change public attitudes and perceptions about disability.