What’s next for Nico Hernandez?

When his hand was raised three times in Rio de Janeiro and an Olympic bronze medal was slipped over his head, Nico Hernandez’s life changed forever.

His dream — of turning professional, of earning a big payday, of providing for his family — was realized. Years of grinding made this moment seem like it was always off in the distance, but now Hernandez is hopping on a plane to return home to Wichita on Tuesday to face a new reality.

Wichita is throwing its first Olympic medalist since 1984 a parade on Saturday. Businesses and schools have been messaging him or his father, Lewis, on Facebook desperately wanting their piece of Nico. He’s been offered free haircuts, free tattoos, free parties.

Hernandez can already see how the fame is changing things.

“You have to put in so much work and sacrifice for so long and I’m blessed to be in this position that a lot of athletes dream of and not very many reach this level,” Hernandez said in a Facebook message from Rio. “I never thought it would be this big of a deal, but once I got my hand raised for that medal, I knew doors would open (and) a lot of opportunities would be there for me.

“It’s crazy, but I think I’m ready for it. I really have no choice now.”

The one question everyone wants to know — what does the future hold — is one that Hernandez is reluctant to answer.

He has made known his intentions of turning professional, and start earning money to provide a better life for his family, before going to Rio. But now it has become a little more complex. So for now at least, Hernandez has a common answer for anyone who asks.

“I’m definitely going to home and take a little break from boxing to spend time with my family and friends,” Hernandez said. “And I’m going to be thinking a lot about my future and I’ll probably be talking all of this through with my father.”

When discussing the pro prospects of the U.S. boxers, Kevin Iole, of Yahoo! Sports, wrote that Hernandez is a “skillful boxer who goes to the body and is sharp in the ring,” but “his weight is going to limit his earning potential.”

Hernandez can remain an amateur, which would allow him to train on his own schedule and retain his eligibility to go for a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Or he can turn professional and receive all of the benefits that come with that, namely a signing bonus and more money for fighting.

Lewis Hernandez said three prominent boxing promotion companies have already contacted him about potentially signing his son.

A decision is far from being made, but a big factor, at least to Lewis, is the recent ruling that removed headgear from amateur boxing.

“I think if they keep the headgears off, they’re going to lose a lot of amateurs in the future,” Lewis said. “I mean it’s pretty simple: If you’re going to get cut with no headgear on, why would you not at least get paid more for it?”

Lewis knows people will be watching what will come next for Nico. He has already felt the intense scrutiny and experienced the random phone calls and messages from people he’s never heard of, looking to get into contact with his son.

“I had one kid message me and he said, ‘Yeah, me and Nico used to go to daycare together,’ ” Lewis said, chuckling. “That’s the first time I’ve heard that one. There’s nothing wrong with that, I guess. People want to be fans, but I think it will change a lot about Nico’s lifestyle. It’s just different now.”

Different, Nico agreed, is what his life will be.

Will it be for the better or for the worse?

That part is still to come.

“I’m really not sure if I want my life to change because I’ve never really been on the flip side before,” Nico said. “But I guess I’ll find out soon enough and let you know.”

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 3:23 PM with the headline "What’s next for Nico Hernandez?."