Unsplash: Anderson Schmig
A 60-year-old cancer survivor has joined a college football team for this upcoming season, and is comfortably the oldest player in the United States.
For many people, being a professional or college athlete is a dream that they’ve long given up on and will, now, instead just watch from the sidelines. It’s a harsh reality, but that day comes for us all.
However, it has not come for 60-year-old Tom Green. The retired businessman and cancer survivor is suiting up to play for the McDaniel College Green Terror this season, as he’s joined the football team.
As per Fox in Maryland, the soon-to-be 61-year-old joined the Green Terror as a walk-on and is set to play as a defensive lineman.
60-year-old is oldest player in college football
“11 years ago, I was dying, I was 60lbs less, I was sweating like crazy at nighttime, my blood was being eaten by the tumors. That was my life, I thought it was the end,” Green told WBFF FOX45.
“Not many people get that chance, not many people get that opportunity. It was a miracle. My doctor at John Hopkins said ‘this doesn’t happen, what happened to you.’”
The 60-year-old said his new teammates act like he is their age and “that’s the best part” about it all. However, some have mistaken him for a coach at times.
Some of Green’s teammates said his desire to play football at his age is “motivating,” and they have “tested” him in practice.
It remains to be seen as to how many downs of football he’ll actually play once the season gets underway, but it’s unlikely he’ll be competing for a national championship.
Heinz is giving the NFL’s 57th draft pick free ketchup & fans an Uber Eats coupon
MLB star eats 900 raw eggs to get better at pitching – and it actually worked
The Green Terror compete in the Centennial Conference, but are coming off a 1-9 season, losing seven straight games at the end of things. So, hopefully, they’ll be able to turn things around come next season.
He will, however, become the oldest person ever to play college football if he plays next year too, when he turns 62.
