By his second birthday, Roderick Green, an athlete born with no right ankle or fibula, underwent severe surgery to amputate his physical ailments. Nearly two decades later, he competed in multiple Paralympic Games and numerous world championships highlighting his true resiliency.
Green, a member of Oklahoma Christian University’s 2002 graduating class, has become one of the university’s most decorated athletes. Competing primarily in T44 sprint events, Green has recently transitioned into sitting volleyball, participating in the 2016 Paralympic Games where he finished in 8th place and was named the USA’s 2016 male sitting player of the year.
During his time as an Eagle, Green played three years on scholarship for the men’s basketball team and earned his degree in physical education and nutrition.
In his first Paralympics, held in Sydney, Australia, in 2000, Green won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash and a bronze medal in both the long jump and 400-meter. Despite his efforts, Green and his teammates were unable to medal in the relay events.
Returning for the 2004 Paralympic Games, Green participated in the 100-meter dash, long jump and shot put but was unable to add to his tally of medals—this, however, did not mean it was an unsuccessful year.
Green, while competing in 2004, met his wife, Katrin, a track and field athlete from Germany who shared a similar below-knee amputation. Katrin won a gold medal four years later in the 200-meter dash and a bronze medal in 2012.
Now a special education teacher in Midwest City, Green mentors juveniles, serves as a private fitness instructor and started a non-profit raising money to cover the cost of medical care for amputees.
In an interview with The Oklahoman, Green stated his success is often related to his mindset.
“I forget I’m an amputee,” Green said. “I forget all the time. I’m as normal as normal can be.”
Green, in an interview with the Edmond Outlook, went on to state this mindset helps him dominate at such a high level.
“I try to have the killer mentality that it takes to be a killer athlete,” Green said. “You come into this with the idea that you want to be the best. If you’re not in it to be the best, especially at this level, you probably shouldn’t do it.”
Green went on to discuss the increased recognition the Paralympic Games have received and how this awareness has changed the outlook on the competition.
“The Paralympics have gotten more attention in recent years, but there are also more legitimate athletes now—you don’t have one or two athletes dominating,” Green said. “People are training full-time, and the competition has skyrocketed. Anybody can show up on any given day and win.”
Junior Harrison Martin, currently on the Oklahoma Christian’s men’s basketball team, stated Green’s fire is inspiring and eliminates all excuses.
“I think he really puts it into perspective,” Martin said. “Listening to his story—you can’t confidently say to yourself that you’re working hard enough. Green is the type of guy that makes you want to better. His story pushes you. It challenges you.”
For more information about Green’s career highlights, click this link: Team USA
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