Thursday, August 23, 2007

59 Year Old Grandfather Makes the Football Cut [J. Mark English]

We've had some bizarre headlines of late. The Texas Rangers outscored the Baltimore Orioles 30-3. And now we hear that a 59 year old gentlemen, Mike Flynt, has made the cut for the Division III school, Sul Ross State University out of Alpine, Texas.
Don't believe me? Find for yourself with this story form the Edmonton Sun:

Mike Flynt was drinking beer and swapping stories with some old football buddies a few months ago when he brought up the biggest regret of his life: Getting kicked off the college team before his senior year.

So, one of his pals said, why not do something about it?

Most 59-year-olds would have laughed. Flynt’s only concern was if he was eligible.

Finding out he was, Flynt returned to Sul Ross State this month, 37 years after he left and six years before he goes on Medicare. His comeback peaked Thursday with the coach saying he’s made the Division III team’s roster. He could be in action as soon as Sept. 1.

Flynt is giving new meaning to being a college senior. After all, he’s a grandfather and is retired. He’s eight years older than his coach and has two kids older than any of his teammates.

“I think it was Carl Yastrzemski who used to say, `How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?’ I’d be in my late 20s or early 30s, because that’s how I feel,” said Flynt, who has made a living out of physical fitness.

“That’s been my approach to this whole thing. I feel that good. I’m just going to find out if I can perform and make a contribution to the team.”

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