A WaPo piece.[Ray Ruschel] works the midnight-to-8 a.m. shift as a mechanic at Minn-Dak Farmer’s Cooperative, a large sugar beet processor in the heart of the Red River Valley.
He enrolled in online classes at North Dakota State College of Science earlier this year, he said, with the goal of earning a business management degree and becoming a supervisor at his work....
“On the first day of camp, we thought he was a new coach, so yeah, we were definitely surprised when he said, ‘No, I’m actually playing,’ ” said Preston Yohnke, 20.
“But when we saw what he could do, we were impressed,” he added. “To be 49 and competing pretty well on the defensive line? That’s crazy. Ray earned our respect.”
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Considering people's poor health and fitness today, why is anyone surprised?
The US Army has had to lower its fitness standards to allow more recruits to enter:
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/07/26/army-opens-its-doors-recruits-who-fail-initial-body-fat-and-academic-tests-amid-recruiting-crisis.html
Furthermore, the military now has different standards for female and older soldiers (a different topic):
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/599459-army-approves-reduced-physical-fitness-standards-for-women-older-soldiers/
He just looks tough. Good for him. Knock a few heads.
He’s transferring to Nebraska.
I played high school football. I was on the line both offensive and defensive. I remember aching for at least a day or two after every game. I can't imagine doing it at 49.
Old guys rule
The bell curve will put certain 49 y/os on the right side. If he can do it and wants to do it, good for the team. Spirit and willingness aside there's no denying the ravages of time. A 49 y/o simply doesn't have the resilience of a 20 y/o.
This is not so uncommon anymore. At 64 I'm still unusually strong and tough, able to do well in kung fu sparring and Western sword against men in their twenties.
Some of this is genetic luck - I come of long lived stock and one of my uncles copped a senior pole vaulting championship at 75 - but a lot of it is better food and medicine.
Healthspan is increasing; the difference between my parents generation and mine is quite noticeable.
Yeah, but he's Playing at North Dakota State; They can barely beat UNI (which makes them #1 in the country)
Tom Brady is 45 years old.
Generation X is the Second Greatest Generation.
What're his pronouns? Just kidding, good for him, and good for the team too.
I had a shot to play sports in college but had to work.
I think I was good enough to have made the team(s) but not good enough to get a scholarship.
I've always wondered if I missed out.
Going back at my age to play soccer or tennis would be difficult...
gilbar, he's playing at North Dakota State College of Science. Very different from NDSU.
Sorry Gilbar, but you're wrong. This guy is playing at a Junior College, North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton. Not NDSU. And considering that NDSU does beat UNI I'm not sure what your beef is. And NDSU has a pretty special record overall as they've not only won 9 of the last 11 FCS National Championships, but are the only FCS team to hold a winning record over FBS teams, and also the only team with a winning record (any level) with a winning record after trailing in the 4th quarter over that time frame.
When I was a kid, my dad went back to college on the GI Bill. He was around 40 and made the tennis team at Spokane Falls Community College. He had been a HS champ and kept playing in the intervening years.
Enigma said:
"Furthermore, the military now has different standards for female and older soldiers (a different topic)"
We've always had different standards for female and older soldiers. Always have, always will.
PT Scores, BMI and other physicality measures are separated by sex, and there are different standards for various age groups. Nothing new at all.
Living his dream.
Roy Jacobsen said...
gilbar, he's playing at North Dakota State College of Science. Very different from NDSU.
Oh! My mistake!
I had NO IDEA there were THREE schools in North Dak (that is, if you count the Fighting Sues as a school
GO Bison!!!
kamas716 said...
I'm not sure what your beef is
no beef, i was being Snarky. My Brother in Law frequently explains to me, how his Bison are
THE BEST TEAM IN THE UNITED STATES
(Several times (once?) the UNI Panthers came up second because of the Bison stampede
how did cheer leaders react?
"We've always had different standards for female and older soldiers. Always have, always will."
When you're in battle, do the female and older soldiers get any sort of break for being, well... female and older?
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