Imagine an Olympic athlete becoming a viral sensation—not for their jaw-dropping performance on the ice, but for their passionate reviews of Caesar salads. That’s exactly what happened to U.S. women’s hockey goalie Aerin Frankel, affectionately known as the 'Green Monster' for her impenetrable presence in front of the net. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Frankel’s love for romaine lettuce has turned her into an unlikely food critic, and her Instagram account, @painbyromaine, has stolen the spotlight at the 2026 Winter Olympics. And this is the part most people miss—her salad obsession started as a joke, inspired by a friend’s espresso martini review account. Now, it’s a full-blown passion project, complete with reviews from Nova Scotia to Greece and a surprising twist on Italian Caesar dressing. But here’s the controversial part: does her salad stardom overshadow her athletic achievements? Frankel, who’s conceded just one goal in three Olympic starts, finds the attention 'a bit shocking' but ultimately amusing. As she rates Milan’s Caesar salads (Mugs & Co. scored a 7.8/10!), she’s proving athletes are multidimensional—and maybe a little obsessed with food. Is Frankel’s salad saga a fun distraction or a distraction from her Olympic glory? Let us know in the comments! Meanwhile, she’s not alone in her culinary fame—American figure skater Andrew Torgashev, aka 'The Pizza King,' ate pizza for 53 straight days. It seems Olympians are serving up more than just sports highlights this year. What’s your take: should athletes stick to their sport, or do these quirky passions make them more relatable? Share your thoughts below!
