Expert: Thom Brooks - 9/28/2008

Question
My name is Mickey Evans, I am 25 years old, 5ft. 9, 160lbs.  I played football in 8th grade and that's it.  I never played High School or any college since than.  Obviously what i am asking is what are my chances of getting into the football game again?  I am currently serving in the military and don't get out until 2011.  I will than be 28 years old.  Will i still have a chance, or would i just be to old to play because the coaches are looking at younger players?  I really really want to play again, and i have the heart to do it.  I am just afraid of getting turned down because of age and less experience.  The colleges i plan on attending is either Texas A&M or University of Virginia.  I would greatly appreciate a response.  Thanks for your time

Answer
Mickey, hello!

Your chances at age 28, without football experience are slim.  Those Div. I colleges seek the Blue Chips that have 4 years under their belt.  

With that being said, you are likely in the best shape of your life.
I have attached websites for you to review.  It would be less difficult to play ball for a Junior College or Division II, or  Division III school.  

Playing for Texas A. & M. or the Virginia Cavaliers would be remote unless you can show them two major things:

Leadership and skill.


Your size indicates you would be suited for Special Teams, kicking or DB.  The speed, strength and size of Division I players will amaze you.  It is a bit distressing to see a 6'3" , 230 pound dude outrun you and then deliver a spirited hurt when he catches up!  

So, the negatives are going to be your age, your lack of playing experience and your size.  Now, you need to sit down and write out the Positives.  What do you plan to tell the Coaches?  Where can you overcome the obstacles?  Convince the Coach that you are a Gamer and that you know the rules and plays.  Once done, the Coach may weigh the Pros and Cons and give you the opportunity.

If you cannot make it as a player, you certainly can consider being part of the Coaching staff or Sports Medicine.  Someone out there would love to see a Leader join them.  Now, go find that school.

Thank you for every single day, the bad days and the good days, that you have worn that United States uniform.  You are playing First String on America's greatest team already.  Making it onto a college football team will be a step down.

I coach a men's baseball team (over age 25) and they still live the dream. Some never played beyond high school.  Several played in the minor leagues.  Many played in college.

We are called the Savannah Bombers.  Our logo is the B-24 Bomber (similar to the one that actor Jimmy Stewart flew 20 combat missions in during World War II).  We wear an American flag patch on our jersey.  We wear WWII and Vietnam and Iraq War patches on our other sleeve (that matches their jersey number).  Our team has won the Championship 2 of the past 3 years.  Today, we play for a division title that will give us the opportunity to play for our 3rd title in 4 years.  If we lose today, our season is over.  Only 2 of the 10 teams will be left standing.  If we win, we go the the Best of Three title games at Historic Grayson Stadium here in Savannah, Georgia.  I'm always recruiting for Stud Baseball Players, so tell your buddies to move to Savannah and join our team, unless they play like a girl!

Take care,

Thom Brooks




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