THE LEGEND FROM VIENNA
Vienna, Georgia (population 2,819) produced one of the greatest Track and Field athletes of our time. Vienna is located about 90 miles from Columbus, 98 miles from Valdosta,132 miles from Atlanta, and 307 miles from Orlando, Florida.
It is the birthplace of Roger Kingdom who was born there in 1962. He grew up working on his grandfather’s (Matt Wallace) farm. That early upbringing gave him the strength, discipline, and values he used to achieve much success in his life.
He was a Jim Thorpe style high school athlete who excelled in both Track and Field and football. He rushed for 1200 yards on the football field his senior year and won and set state records in the 120-yard-high hurdles, the high jump, and the discus. He was such a great all-around high school athlete, that he was named Georgia High School Athlete of the Year in 1981.
After high school, he accepted a football scholarship to play at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, he chose Track and Field as his primary focus. He became an elite college athlete in the 110-meter-high hurdles of that sport.
Roger was a five-time National US champion in the 110-meter-high hurdles (1985,1988,1989,1990 and 1995). He was ranked number one in the world five times by Track and Field News (1984,1985,1988,1989 and 1999).
He won his first gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.
At the Olympics in 1988 in Seoul, Korea, He won his second Olympic Gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles.
In 1989, he was the second person to break the 13-second barrier when he eclipsed the world mark of 12.92 seconds beating the old record of Renaldo Nehemiah (12.93). His world record lasted 4 years. His world record was also the American record which lasted 17 years.
His career was hampered in 1991 due to a severe knee injury. After a long recovery, he resumed his career and won the 1995 US National Championship. Roger officially retired from active competition in 1999.
Post his professional Track career, he held positions on the coaching staff and as Director of men’s and women’s cross country at California University of Pennsylvania.
In 2014, he joined the Arizona Cardinals NFL team on the strength and conditioning staff as their speed and Conditioning Coordinator.
In 2018, he returned to Florida as the Interim Director of track and field cross country at the University of Central Florida.
In 2019 he rejoined his Arizona Cardinal’s Coach Bruce Arians as the Speed and Conditioning Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2020, he earned a ring in that capacity when the Tom Brady-led Bucs won the Super Bowl. He is only the second player in history to have won 2 gold medals and a Super Bowl ring. The first was the late “Bullett” Bob Hayes.
Today, in semi-retirement, Roger still looks like he could suit up for an NFL team or run a respectable time in the 110-meter-high hurdles.
This author met Roger when he was introduced to our Tuesday group as a playing guest by one of his friends from Pittsburgh. I believed (at that moment) I may have been one of the few in our group who recognized his name. I have always been an Olympic track and field fan, so I remember watching him win both of his gold medals in impressive fashion.
Though many in our groups were unfamiliar with Roger’s Track and field career, they all became knowledgeable after he became a regular player with us. His pleasant and easygoing personality is not what one would expect of one who has made such a huge mark on the world stage.
Roger is an incredibly competitive golfer. His interest in golf began after participating in a March of Dimes Charity golf event in Pittsburgh. Though he had never played the game, he was so frustrated by his first time playing that he vowed to gain proficiency in golf. Not to be outdone by its difficulty, after two years of practice and playing, he became a single-digit handicap player.
Like most of us, he has a continuing passion for this sport. On any given day he plays with friends or some of the local golf groups.
He resides with his family (wife and 3 daughters) in the Orlando area but still maintains a residence in Arizona.
Roger is affectionately known as “Legend” in our group. He is an accomplished golfer, is very personable, and always shows a professional attitude and a healthy respect for the game.
Among his many accolades, Roger Kingdom was inducted into the US Olympics Hall of Fame (2022), the University of Pittsburgh Athletics Hall of Fame (2018), and earned a well-deserved place in the World Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2005.
Since 2003, Roger has given back to the youth in the Vienna, Georgia area through his Roger Kingdom Foundation. Its focus has been working with at-risk youths through after-school tutoring, alcohol, tobacco & other drug prevention, and a junior tennis program. More information about his athletic achievements and life is available on his website rogerkingdom.com
