The Senior

My Amazing Year as a 59-Year-Old College Football Linebacker

Non-Fiction - Sports
207 Pages
Reviewed on 03/10/2009
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Mike Flynt grew up in a tough family. He learned to fight when he was young. During his senior year at Sul Ross State University, he was the Captain of the football team. Unfortunately, he was kicked off the team for fighting.

Flynt married and raised a family, but was filled with regrets for not completing his senior. Friends and family encouraged the 59-year-old man to return to college. Flynt is a man to be admired. There are few true heroes in today’s world; Flynt is one of them. He demonstrated courage, humility, perseverance, and willpower.

It is never too late and we are never too old to capture our dreams. The Senior is an incredible story. I am not a football fan (sorry Mike), but I am a Mike Flynt fan. His story is a true inspiration. The photographs add much to the story. The writing style is conversational and enjoyable. Whether you are a football fan or not you will enjoy The Senior.

Jack L. Cooper

Socrates is quoted as saying "An unexamined life is not worth living." Well, Mike Flynt's life is one that was very well lived because not only has he examined it, but now everyone is examining it.
As one who knows Mike from "the old days" and attended the "Sul Ross Baby Boomers" reunion where his comeback started, I watched everything from the sidelines. His book carries forward his story beautifully. Mike was an exceptionally talented linebacker. After watching him sack opposing quarterbacks I realized I made the correct decision in being a cheerleader. When Mike was expelled because of "the fight" I felt that he had truly gotten the short end of the stick, and I had always wondered what happened to him.
For those of us who had lost touch with him, his reputation as a pugilist is best summed up by the comment of a mutual friend when sitting in the lobby of the hotel while people arrived. One alumni asked, "Is that Mike Flynt over there?" Another replied, "Naw, couldn't be. That guy has been there for five minutes and hasn't fought anybody."
Other reviews have addressed the story of Mike's redemption. My thoughts go more to how Mike's story affected all of his friends who vicariously joined in his experience. We all have been able to revisit a wonderful time in our lives and have been rejuvenated by his experience. People who never knew Mike followed his trials and tribulations through all of us who did. Now they have a chance to read his book and feel what we all felt. Mike had the chance many of us never have; that chance for a do-over. Read Mike's story; it will mean as much to you as to all of us who attended his games and cheered him on. He is a man who has come full circle, from impetuous youth to a man who is solid as a rock in his faith and love of family. I feel honored to have been able to watch him from the sidelines. You will truly enjoy this book.

Big Daddy

I couldn't put this book down. Read it at one sitting. Althought many people won't understand Flynt's mindset about fist fighting it is one shared by many of us that were raised in West Texas. The book was excellent and I invite everyone to read this. Quite inspirational.

T. Johnson

A thoroughly enjoyable read! Being over 50 and an ex-jock, the cover got my attention right away - a 59 year old guy going back to college to play football, give me a break. The first few pages pulled me in and I was hooked. I appreciate Mike's authenticity in sharing his early years, warts and all before growing into a fine man and inspiriation. Way to go Mike - glad you were able to redeem yourself and share your story with the rest of us!

Barbara B. Smith

This is a story about a man who tells how much he loved football and his father. His father had a hard life and he wished his son to be able to take care of himself. Mike took his father's rules with him a long time until they began to stand in his way. He still wanted to play football at 59. His life fell into place where he had the opportunity to talk about this to his old school, Sol Rush. I believe the book has many life lessons with Mike's journey the road of Redemption.