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If I can do it, so can you

When football season ends next week for Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, linebacker Mike Flynt will not be voted to any All-America teams. He probably won't even warrant consideration for the All-American Southwest Conference team. He's no superstar, and an injury that kept him off the field for the first five games still limits him to just a few plays each week. Yet, he may be the Lobos' most influential player. Fans line up to have their pictures taken with him. And Gov. Rick Perry (R) has written him a letter of commendation because of the example he sets. Why? Well, Flynt is the only known grandfather on the roster of a college football team. Before reporting for preseason practice, he hadn't played in an organized program in 37 years. He'd been on the Lobo teams of 1969 and 1970, but then gravitated to a career as a strength and conditioning coach. Last summer, however, he learned that under collegiate rules he was entitled to one more year of eligibility. So he reenrolled at Sul Ross and went out for the team again, even though he's years older than any of the coaches. The season hasn't exactly worked out as Flynt might have hoped, but judging by his public comments, his decision to return was the right one. It has been "amazing," he told the Sporting News. "People I don't know are inspired by what I'm doing and changing their lives. I think that's so wonderful."