Flynt, 59, making comeback with Sul Ross State University
Associated Press
ALPINE, Texas — 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 Wednesday 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 a card-carrying member of AARP. 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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What do you think? Is this a good or bad thing?
College football teams should all be comprised of 50-some year olds. Football is a very dangerous sport, particularly for the young who are still developing. See the NY Times article on concussion injuries in high school football: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/sports/football/15concussions.html.
This sport should simply be banned in its current form for anyone under 21.
The link that got cut off from the previous message is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/
sports/football/15concussions.html
I hope he doesn’t die or have permanent injuries.
I think it’s great that he’s getting to pursue his dream. He’s obviously a guy who has taken care of himself and is in excellent physical shape for his age. I wish him the best.
He should let it go. It’s enough that he made the roster, but we need gums to stay off the field. His position on the team means that another eligible college kid will be taken off the team. Does it really mean that much to this gum that he would destroy someone else’s dream in order to relive the past?