Ralph Green

Sport: Alpine Skiing
Residence: Vail, Colorado

Ralph Green didn’t give up after he lost a leg following a random street shooting. He learned how to ski and he’s learning how to win. Coaches say he’s fearless and a hard worker. He also is the first African-American male to make the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Team.

Green got his first taste of international racing in 2004 and absorbed as much experience as possible. He is laying a foundation from which he hopes to build a place on the team that will compete at future Winter Paralympic games. So, far he’s shown Slalom and GS are his top events. "I learned I have the ability to be the best in the world," he said.

A high school quarterback and multi-sport athlete, Green was shot at age 15 while he and a friend walked along a street in Brooklyn. His left leg was amputated at the hip. He was introduced a year later to skiing in the Poconos.

After high school, Green moved to Winter Park, CO for three months. After going home to New York, he returned to Winter Park in 2000 and to train with their excellent disabled ski program. “And that’s when it stuck. I said, ‘I’m skiing until I’m the best’." He explained, "I’m not scared to go fast, not scared to crash, but I learned you have to finish and that’s what I’m doing now. Fear is not a factor.”

His skiing highlights include two World Cup top 10 finishes in 2004 and four more top 15 finishes in 2005. In late 2005 and early 2006, Green and his story were featured in Ski Racing, magazine, Ebony and on ESPN2. In 2006 Green was a member of the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski team and competed at the Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy.

Green is a member of the Home Depot Olympic Job program and works with U.S. Paralympics® founding sponsor, The Hartford, to raise public awareness about the success that’s possible when we focus on an individual’s ability instead of his or her perceived physical limitations.