Meet the 60-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Suiting Up to Play College Football

Tom Green
Credit: FOX NASHVILLE/YouTube

NEED TO KNOW

• Tom Green, a 60-year-old cancer survivor, is a freshman defensive lineman at McDaniel College in Maryland
• Green overcame stage 4 kidney cancer and was inspired to pursue college football after his miraculous recovery
• His teammates are motivated by his story and enjoy his camaraderie on and off the field

Tom Green is ready for some football!

The 60-year-old cancer survivor, who is a freshman walk-on at McDaniel College in Maryland, is believed to be the oldest player in the country, according to ABC affiliate WBFF.

Green put off college for most of his life and instead became a business owner in Pennsylvania. He was motivated to play football after recently enrolling in the school.

“Guys, 11 years ago, I was dying,” he told the news station. “I was 60 pounds less…my blood was being eaten by the tumors, and that was my life. I thought it was the end.” 

Green said he had multiple tumors throughout his body and that his doctors at Johns Hopkins were amazed at his recovery from stage 4 kidney cancer, calling it a “miracle.”

Now, the Maryland native and defensive lineman is looking forward to a new chapter playing Division III football for the small, liberal arts school in Westminster, Maryland.

Green has since found new friends in his teammates.

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"The laughter, oh I love that part," he said. "You know, we laugh. I mean they act like their age, you know, and that's the best part. I love to cut out and just like the rest of the guys."