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.
A longtime strength and conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M, he’s spent the last several years selling the Powerbase training system he invented.
Flynt’s position is still being determined, but he used to play linebacker. Wherever he lines up, he’ll likely become the oldest player in college football history. Neither the NCAA or NAIA keeps such a statistic, but research hasn’t turned up anyone older than their mid-40s. And even those are rare, for obvious reasons.
“People have asked me, `Mike, what is the fountain of youth?’ Well, it’s strength training that builds muscle, increases bone density and burns calories,” he said. “It’s the one thing you can do in your 90s and benefit from.”
Yeah. I hope he rocks all the young guys. hehehe. Hopefully he’ll at least play. A flat 5 40 yard dash is pretty darn impressive at 59. And I think that speed will probably be competitive for div 3.
Update from a press release on the Sul Ross website. Sounds like Flynt isn’t immune to injury:
[quote]Sul Ross State University head football coach Steve Wright said today that Mike Flynt, 59, a 1966 Odessa Permian High School graduate, is a member of the 2007 Lobo team.
Flynt last played for the Lobos during the 1970 season as a linebacker and has one season of eligibility remaining. Wright noted that Flynt has seen limited workouts due to a minor muscle pull.
“If we were traveling tomorrow, Mike would not be on the travel roster due to the injury,” he said. "The injury has limited his evaluation time in pads, and he is one of nine players in a similar situation.
“We thank the media for their interest in Mike Flynt and Sul Ross,” Wright said. "I have had over 500 media hits via e-mails, office, cell and home phone requests.
“We are attempting to keep this unusual situation from being a team distraction, but we will have more information on this developing story in about seven days,” Wright concluded.
The Lobos open the 2007 season Sept. 1 against Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. [/quote]
Mr. Flynt is an inspirational figure. I myslef hope to be able to walk properly at 59 much less play football at any level. The fact that he can even contemplate this makes him a gleaming example for all in the Strength training community.
Like some of the others comment I would love to see a T-Nation invterview of this guy, even though it would make me feel lazy and pathetic.
