Most take up playing sports at a young age and normally we get involved due to Family involvement and/or friends who either play or have played sports.
We play until it’s time to call it a career, but at what point in your life is it time to officially call it a day?
Some stop due to injuries, other stop due to pressure from various sources or individuals, but others continue and have a longing to play until a “ripe old age” of who knows what?
photo credit Ron Chenoy USA Today
Parents quite often stay involved as it’s a way in which they can teach their children to not only be active, but become an exceptional citizen.
It’s a sad note that some parents want the “kids” to excel in a specific sport as they were unable to become successful in the sport they chose as a youngster.
While it’s fine to help your children, it’s by no means to be a pushy parent and be the one on the sidelines or stands that no one wants to either stand or sit next to during any game – home or away.
Now we are hearing news out of the States that make some sit up and take notice that it’s never too late to play, especially with your kids.
Now we are hearing that Joe Thomas Sr. age 55 and the Father of Packers linebacker Joe Thomas Jr. made history by becoming the oldest player to ever play in a Div. I college football game.
He last played football when he was in high school and believe it or not, his Son was in full support for him not only dressing, but playing.
Thomas was raised in Blackville, South Carolina about 40 minutes from Orangeburg, where South Carolina State’s campus is located.
During his childhood he (Thomas) was partially deaf, but a doctor helped him clear his ears to assist in his hearing when he was 17.
In his Junior and Senior seasons at Blackville High School, he was a standout defensive lineman and a promising running back, but never get the opportunity to ever play college football.
His son (Joe Thomas Jr) who plays for the Green Bay Packers enrolled at South Carolina State, he (Thomas Sr.) decided to join him in both the classroom and on the football field.
When he attended school he (Thomas Jr) set the school record for shot-put and discus with throws of 64 ft 10 in (19.76 m) and 185 ft 7 in (56.57 m).
He also lettered four times in track and field and also holds the school indoor record in shot-put (62 ft 1 1⁄4 in or 18.93 m).
Until now he never had the opportunity to play in a game with his son, but he (Thomas Sr.) stuck with the football team one day dreaming of playing in a game with his Son.
Not only did he dress in a game he managed to get the ball for a carry for FCS program South Carolina State in an afternoon game.
Carrying the ball was a thrill for him while at the same time making history and carrying the ball for three yards and made both history and headlines.
Photo Credit to Ron Chenoy USA Today
We are told that the NCAA does not keep statistics such as this, but it’s believed that Thomas Sr. is the oldest player – ever take the field, let alone record a statistic, in Div. I history.
The FCS player very well could’ve broken the unofficial record at this level previously thought to be set by Tim Frisby, who walked on at South Carolina in 2004 at the age of 39 and played for both Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier
The oldest player in the history of College Football was Alan Moore, age 61 who kicked an extra point in an NAIA game, but four years prior to this it was Mike Flynt age 59 who suited up and played for Div. III Sul Ross State.
We are hearing that he was primarily used as a Scout and the NCAA had to issue a waiver for him to play.
Thomas Jr. told the media “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my father and at first, I thought it would be really weird. When my teammates found out, they’d say things like, ‘Your Dad is coming for your spot.”
One has to wonder what Mom would s
