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Dr. David J. Demko, gerontologist and editor, AgeVenture News Service, Boca Raton, Florida 08-23-07 |
"It ain't over 'til it's over" said sport's great Yogi Berra. And, 59 year old baby boomer, Michael Flynt (photo left) has taken that advise to heart ... and right back into the football stadium as a varsity player for Sul Ross State University (SRSU) this Fall term.
"It's true, he (Flynt) made the team," SRSU's Saul Garza (photo right) told AgeVenture News Service. Garza, is executive director of alumni relations at SRSU's Alpine, Texas campus. Alpine is a small town of less than seven thousand residents. But that's all about to change as dozens of news agencies ascend on Alpline to interview SRSU's new student-athlete and the "World's Oldest College Football Player." 
"It all started," says Garza, "during a Baby Boomers (class of 1965-1974) reunion of 200 alumnae this summer which convened in San Antonio." The Boomers got to talking about their past which prompted others to contemplate their future.
Michael Flynt called his old football coach about the prospect of "getting back in the game." After a brief exchange of the "you've got to be kidding" sort, Flynt's tone became serious. "You still have one more season of eligibility" was the coach's reply. Like it or not. Want it, or not. Michael Flynt is about to become the new poster boy for the new boomer generation I call Zoomers, adults who live by the motto "stop acting your age, start living your life." Or, as Yogi would say, "It ain't over 'til it's over. This story reminded me of earlier "old" football stories. For those interested in other "firsts" in football history, read on. Longest lived College football player? Born in 1911, Ken (Shorty) Needham played guard for the Tennessee University Volunteers in the mid-1930s. Shorty lived a total of 94 years. Longest lived NFL player? Sam "Smoke" Salemi, lived 100 years. "Smoke" played pro football for the Hartford Blues back in 1926. One of my favorites from the past was famed Cleveland Brown's kicker, Lou ("the toe") Groza who actually continued to play pro ball up until age 43 back in 1967. Even at age 43 years, Lou would charge down the field attempting to tackle the player who caught his kick-off. Okay, Lou was pretty amazing. But, can you top this? Back in 2003, the oldest and still playing pro football player was a 70 year old grandmother, Charolotte Chambers. This tough granny played tackle football for Orlando, Florida's pro Woman's Football League. Well, it's time for me to conclude this report because, quite frankly, how can you top a 70 year old granny who played tackle football? However, this entire football odessy has taught me to be open-minded about the possibilities. So, if any readers have their own tale to tell, then pitch or kick your story my way. Image credits: Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas. |
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