[1] He comes from a sports-minded family and is named after baseball great Rod Carew and former Dallas Cowboys guard Blaine Nye.

Wilson competed in college for Ohio State University, where he was coached by 1976 bronze-medal winner Peter Kormann.

Wilson was the first man to win five consecutive national all-around titles since USA Gymnastics was named the sport's national governing body, and the third man to win five consecutive U.S. all-around titles (or more) in gymnastics history.

Months later, at the 2004 Visa American Cup, Wilson tore his left biceps tendon and vowed to return for the 2004 Olympic Games.

The couple was both performing on The Tour of Gymnastics Superstars and after their stop in Sacramento traveled to Reno, Nevada, and married there.