Rico Roman, a former Army Staff Sergeant is an American gold medal ice sled hockey player and Purple Heart recipient from Portland, Oregon who competed in 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.
Early life
Rico Roman, born February 4, 1981, is of American-Mexican descent. He entered Alpha High School in 2000 to complete his elementary education. He later joined the United States Army soon after. He was on duty and serving in Iraq when his left leg was amputated in February 2007 by being hit by an IED. After suffering the great loss due to the injury, one of the Operations Comfort staff members suggested that Roman join the San Antonio Rampage sled hockey club.
So he joined and started playing for the club and built his junior career in sled hockey from the 2009-2011 seasons. He is the son of Connie Roman and grew up with two brothers, Benito and Carlos. Rico retired from the army, which resulted in him amputating his left leg above the knee. He is the recipient of the purple heart. He was introduced to hockey in 2008 by Operation Comfort, an organization dedicated to assisting injured U.S. service figures at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Rico Roman’s career
Rico Roman joined the major league hockey team in 2009 and has maintained his position and practice with the team ever since. He learned about cycling, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair soccer. Within a year of the amputation, Roman was able to achieve and sustain his career in sports while cycling two marathons, completing 150 miles in one day, to raise money for multiple sclerosis research. Rico Roman, a Purple Heart winner, made his debut with the USA sled hockey team in 2011 and secured a place on the Paralympic first team in 2014.
In 2012, Rico joined Dallas Stars where he was helped play and win the USA Hockey Sled Championship Classic Division A. From 2011 to date he has fulfilled his responsibilities on the United States Sled Hockey National Team and has remained a one-time winner of the 2013 USA Hockey Sled Cup.
Rico received the silver medal in November 2011 at the IPC World Sled Hockey Challenge and next he won the gold medal for the same place, followed by the silver medal in 2013. He was awarded the gold medal in 2012, where he won the International Paralympic Committee’s Ice Skating Hockey World Championship and another silver medal the following year with the same place or position.
Rise to Fame
Before he played sled hockey, Rico didn’t like playing the game. He always wondered if Hispanics were playing the game or not. Even in his interview, he said he was from Oregon, not from the hockey team, so he probably won’t represent the hockey team. In 2014, Rico received another gold medal at his Paralympic event in Sochi.
So far, he has won three gold medals (2012, 2019, 2021) and two silver medals (2013 and 2017) while attending the world championships with the sled hockey team. Despite this, he has remained a Paralympian three times since 2014, where he won a gold medal with his US team, followed by another gold medal at the 2018 Paralympics.
Rico Roman biography |
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|---|---|
| Real name | Rico Roman |
| date of birth | February 4, 1981 |
| Age (as of 2022) | 41 years |
| place of birth | Portland, Oregon, USA |
| nationality | American |
| job | Ice sled hockey player |
| religion | Christianity |
| sun sign | Aquarius |
Physical Statistics |
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| height | in feet inches – 5′ 9” – in centimeters – 175 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 82kg – in pounds – 180 pounds |
| shoe size | 9 (USA) |
| Hair color | black |
| eye color | dark brown |
| body type | Sporty |
Rico Roman Family |
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| father | – |
| mother | Connie Roman |
| sister | – |
| Brothers | Two (Benito & Carlos Roman) |
Qualification/Education |
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| school | Alpha High School |
| University | – |
Relationship status |
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| marital status | Married |
| Who is Rico Roman’s wife? | Nathalie Roman |
| children | Two (Julia & Raul) |
Personal life
Rico is a happily married man who is married to his loving and gorgeous wife named Nathalie Roman. His wife helped him through his success and bad days when he lost his leg in the blast while serving in Iraq. Within a year, Roman mastered his prosthetic leg and began walking or even working while in this condition. Today he is the father, a Paralympic athlete and a retired soldier who is sure to be successful for many years to come. Roman is the proud father of two children, Juliet (8) and Raul (6).
Rico Roman’s net worth
It is certain that Rico earns well due to his retired army career, participation in Paralympics and prize money for winning various gold and silver medals at various world championships. Currently, Rico Roman’s estimated net worth is almost $3 million.
Facts About Rico Roman
- Working on cars, wheelchair basketball, hand biking, swimming and hunting are some of Rico Roman’s well-known hobbies.
- He also enjoys watching boxing championships, where his idol is US boxer Floyd Mayweather.
- His favorite NHL team is the Dallas Stars, for whom he has developed enduring love and respect through their games and hard work.