Jan_15_2008

Football tests the laws of age
By Fred Fehr
Sports Editor
Web-Posted Jan. 15, 2008 09:46: AM
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For the majority of the 30-something to 40-something crowd,
football is a television, recliner, drink, snack and snooze activity
while the belly swallows the belt. Not so for Shawnee resident Joe
Freeman. A 1980 Checotah High School graduate, Freeman is the
elder statesman -- by a long shot -- of the newly developed
Shawnee Millers, an entry in the Oklahoma Metro Football League.

Joe Freeman of the Shawnee Millers looks on during practice Saturday.
JASON SMITH / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Freeman is 45 -- going on 25 -- and at 6 feet 5 inches, 235 pounds,
is listed as the Millers' starting center with the season about seven
weeks away.
So why does a 45-year-old attorney -- nearly three decades
removed from high school -- risk life and limb while playing
organized football without pay?
"I just love to play the game," Freeman said. "I'm really enjoying it
and getting a big thrill out of it."
Freeman, who played his last high school game in the 1979 season,
doesn't possess an ordinary 45-year-old body.
He works out every day, lifts weights several times a week and runs
sprints. Each day, he does calisthenics and stretches for 30 minutes.
"I do crunches and sit-ups every day," Freeman said. "As far as
physicality goes, I knew my endurance was OK. I know that I'm in
better shape than 95 percent of the guys my age."
Despite his superb physical condition, Freeman was tested early
and often during the opening practice sessions. "I tore my left and
right quadriceps in the first two weeks of practice," Freeman said.
"So I started working out on my own before practice started."
Freeman had one big reservation when he decided to try out for the
Millers.
"From everything I had heard from former footballers, I knew the
biggest thing I was going to have to get used to again were the
collisions," he said.
That was a legitimate concern. Since he last adorned football pads
for Checotah, five coaches -- Switzer, Gibbs, Schnellenberger,
Blake and Stoops -- have roamed OU's sideline. Carter, Reagan,
Bush, Clinton and Bush have commanded the Oval Office, and Jerry
Jones' face was lifelike.
"The first couple of weeks of practice and scrimmages were very
difficult. I didn't know if I would make it," Freeman said. "Everything
on my body hurt, but I had it in mind that it would get easier.
"That's what has happened. Full-impact speed collisions aren't
bothering me at all now."
There were doubters, naturally, from 20ish teammates who were
young enough to be Freeman's sons.
"I was skeptical," said Matt Buoy, who at 28 is the second-oldest
Miller, yet 17 years younger than Freeman. "But we pushed Joe
hard and he's really in good shape. He still outruns us."
"He's like one of the young guys to me," Harrah product Chris Nappa
said. "He's proven it to me."
Freeman realized from the outset there would be skeptics. "I knew
they wanted to test me, and I wanted to be tested. We had some
hellacious collisions out there. I think they found out I was for real."
Before earning his law degree, Freeman had a four-year stint in the
military as a Russian translator. He also played on military football
squads in Texas and Alaska.
Millers head coach Jack Dingus, who at 21 is 24 years Freeman's
junior, says he has the utmost respect for the squad's veteran
leader. "His endurance is amazing for his age," Dingus said. "As a
player, he is one heck of a center. Because he is such a great
leader, he is a great man to build a team around. He is very
professional in everything he does. He wants this team and league
to fly here in Shawnee.

"I've never seen a guy, for his age, who is so committed to things.
He is just a natural-born leader."

Shawnee Miller Caleb Humphrey (90) tackles ballcarrier Bryant Woods during a practice
session Saturday.
JASON SMITH / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

While Freeman hopes he is a good example of conditioning and
physical nourishment, that isn't why he is testing his body's
capabilities in one of the world's most physical sports.
"I just want to play some football," he said, taking a line out of the
"The Longest Yard."
"I just want to play football if my body will allow it.
"I don't have any delusions of grandeur. If a guy will keep himself in
shape, he can compete into his 30s and 40s, maybe even another
five years. I just love playing the game."
That alone should earn the respect of the most vocal doubters.

Fred Fehr may be reached at 214-3928 or fred.fehr@news-star.com.

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"THE GAME FOR REAL MEN"