At 59, He Returned to Play College Football Fueled by His Faith in Jesus
The West Texas-aged man whose story of playing college football in his 50s captured nationwide attention says his faith in Jesus sustained him through a rough upbringing, a season of regret, and ultimately a life-changing transformation.
Mike Flynt made headlines in 2007 when he returned to the gridiron at age 59 for Sul Ross State University in Alpine Texas -- the same school where he rose to stardom as a linebacker before being kicked off the team prior to his senior season in 1971 for fighting.
Flynt is among the oldest ever to play college football and has become a source of inspiration for athletes and fans worldwide. NBA star LeBron James wrote the foreword for his book.
A new Angel Studios movie, The Senior, tells the story of Flynt's incredible journey to play college football at an age when many men are contemplating retirement. It releases in theaters Sept. 19.
Flynt's story is one of redemption -- both on and off the field.
"I was team captain [in 1971], returning for my senior year [and] I was an all-conference linebacker -- the leading tackler on that team," he told Crosswalk Headlines. "We were picked to win the conference -- we'd been 8-3 the year before.
“[But] I got in a fight during two-a-days [in an] off-the-field altercation.”
As Flynt acknowledges, it was not his first fight -- and coaches and administrators had grown tired of his antics.
Without Flynt, the Lobos recorded a losing record of 4-6-1 -- and it became Flynt's greatest life regret. His senior season had been taken from him, and -- in his mind -- his teammates had struggled because of it.
In the ensuing years, he went on to a successful career in the fitness world, working as the strength coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M -- and staying in shape, too.
"I always had a philosophy about training my athletes that I would never ask them to do something I wasn't willing to do myself. So I stayed in great shape," he said.
Then, 37 years after that fateful day in 1971, Flynt learned he had one more semester of eligibility, and the Sul Ross State coach said he would let him try out. As a linebacker, Flynt surprised many when he showed up to practice, his determination evident from the start.
"I can help a bunch of young guys that I don't even know," he said, summarizing his outlook. "[And] for me, it makes up for those guys I let down all those years ago. … I knew I couldn't change the past, but I felt like if I could do something immediate right now and substitute it for the past, then I could change the meaning of the past for me."
His character says in the film, "We're not defined by our successes -- we're defined by our regrets."
Flynt wasn't raised in a Christian home and only came to faith later in life through his wife's influence. He credits his faith with giving him a new perspective on his failures and helping him overcome a long struggle with anger.
"By the grace of God, I became a new man -- and it was that daily walk with Christ that was, you know, everything," he said.
More than two dozen of his former college teammates and coaches attended the homecoming game his senior year. It brought him healing.
"[They said,] 'We knew that fight wasn't your fault, and we never blamed you for that. And besides, look, because you came back to play, we're all back together again.' And so God in His mercy gave me that forgiveness I needed from my former teammates to overcome that greatest regret in my life."
Flynt said his story has one simple lesson for moviegoers.
"You can't go back and undo the past, but you can change the meaning of the past."
Photo Credit: ©Angel
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 28, 2025.
