NCAA RECORD HOLDER TOM THOMPSON VISITS COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
/Author/Educator/Motivator Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II Shares Father-Son Moment While Viewing His Jersey that is Enshrined at the CFHOF
Author, speaker and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, and his son, Jon Rawles, recently visited the College Football Hall of Fame where the elder Thompson's jersey is on revolving display. Pictured: (L to R): Jon Rawles Thompson and Tom Thompson. (Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II photo)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 26, 2016) - On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At age 61, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. The College Football Hall of Fame commemorated the event by including Thompson's football jersey in its collection of sports artifacts.
Thompson recently had the opportunity to visit the College Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF), where he shared a special father-son moment as the curator brought the jersey out for Thompson and his son to view it together.
"Robert Bready, Senior Manager of The College Football Hall of Fame, greeted me and my family with open arms and treated us like royalty," says Thompson. "They gave us a personal tour of the facility, and a highlight of the visit was when they brought out my Austin College jersey for my 9 year old son to see. It was a very special moment for us both."
Thompson details his record-breaking accomplishment in his inspirational and motivational autobiography, Kick Start. Thompson wrote the book to encourage older adults who are approaching their golden years, and anyone else who may be facing a change in their life's direction, to seize their future with both hands. He is currently hard at work on an updated and revised second edition of the book, which is slated for an early 2017 release.
Author, speaker and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, and his son, Jon Rawles,, look out over a collection of helmets at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. (Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II photo)
"Each day, approximately 6,000 Americans turn 65, the traditional age at which people clean out their desk, accept a gold watch from the company and head for the rocking chair," says Thompson. "But we are witnessing a movement that is changing the face of the nation, and ultimately the world. The boomer generation that is approaching retirement age is more well-educated, healthier, and more motivated than any previous generation in American history. They have a tremendous amount of work experience and life skills that can provide a multitude of opportunities. If my story says anything, it is that it is never too late to re-imagine what you want your life to be."
At an age when many people are contemplating retirement, Thompson earned the first of numerous academic degrees. Through the process of earning a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and ultimately a doctorate, Thompson realized the power of setting goals and striving to reach them. But he also recognized that not all goals are created equal.
"Have you ever achieved a goal, but then didn't experience that long-term sense of fulfillment you were expecting?" Thompson asks. "That happens when you set a goal that is not tied to a core value. When you set a goal that is tied to a core value, you have a greater chance of gaining lasting fulfillment, and it has the added benefit of affecting a whole lot more people than just yourself."
To learn more about Dr. Thompson and Kick Start, visit 91kick.com.
About Tom Thompson and Kick Start:
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II wrote his inspirational and motivational autobiography, Kick Start, to encourage older adults who are approaching their golden years to seize their future with both hands. Thompson is currently readying the second edition of Kick Start for an early 2017 release. (Roark Photography photo)
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, D.S.L., M.S., M.A., entered the health and fitness industry after a 20-year career in commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University, a Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, and a Doctor of Strategic Leadership Degree from Regent University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Austin College.
Dr. Thompson in as active researcher with numerous co-authored articles in peer reviews academic journals. He has co-authored the book Fit To Lead (St. Martin's Press) andKick Start (Carpenter's Son Publishing). In addition to his writing, Dr. Thompson also lectures to both lay and academic groups.
A former Board of Advisors member of the American Council on Martial Arts, Dr. Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 9th degree black belt.
On November 14, 2009, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point in a game.
To learn more about Dr. Thompson and Kick Start, visit 91kick.com.
About The College Football Hall of Fame:
The College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience opened in downtown Atlanta in August 2014. College football fans can visit the attraction from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The 94,256 sq ft facility is located adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center on Marietta Street, next to Centennial Olympic Park and near the Georgia Dome.
As of 2015, the total number of players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame was 963, and there were 209 coaches. Among the nearly five million players and coaches who have been involved with the sport, only 0.0002 percent have been inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.
For more information about The College Football Hall of Fame, visit cfbhall.com.
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