Tom Green, a 61-year-old Maryland native and stage four cancer survivor, has joined the McDaniel College football team as a freshman walk-on. The retired business entrepreneur could become the oldest college football player in history.
The Division III school in Westminster, Maryland confirmed Green’s addition to the roster. He’ll suit up for the Green Terror after beating kidney cancer a decade ago.
Green lost 60 pounds during his cancer battle and thought his life was ending.
“I was 60 pounds less, I was sweating like crazy at nighttime, and my blood was being eaten by the tumors. That was my life. I thought it was the end,” Green told ABC 4.
The cancer diagnosis changed everything for Green. Now cancer-free for years, he’s looking for new challenges in retirement.
Green played semi-pro football before starting his business career. Football never really left his system, even during his entrepreneurial years.
Some teammates initially viewed his roster spot as a joke. The team has since rallied around Green’s story and determination to keep pursuing his goals.
“[Football] never leaves you,” Green said. “The one thing that I always tell everybody is, the camaraderie of it all, you miss it. I’ve had employees, and I’ve had people work for me, and so on and so forth, but when you’re playing ball, it’s a lot different atmosphere.”
Green would need to play next season at 62 to officially claim the oldest college football player record.
The closest comparison is Justin Buzzard, a 47-year-old who made the San Jose City College roster earlier this year.
Green will line up on the defensive line when McDaniel opens its season. The Green Terror face Catholic University on Friday, September 4th.
The liberal arts college hasn’t had this kind of national attention for its football program in recent memory. Green’s story has brought media coverage from across the country.
