Texas Football Icon, Author, & Respected Fitness Researcher, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, Meets with Journalists to Promote his Upcoming Book, Kick It Up a Notch

NCAA double record holder, author, college football coach, and respected researcher Dr. Tom Thompson recently attended the International Christian Media Convention (NRB 2025), where he interviewed and met with a wide variety of national and international media outlets, including MRG Media's Homeschool Companion. Pictured (L to R): MRG Media's Rose Gamblin, Thompson, and MRG Media's Michael Gamblin. (Dr. Tom Thompson photo)

GRAPEVINE, Texas (March 14, 2025) - NCAA double record holder; author; college football coach; respected fitness, motivation and change researcher, and Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, recently attended the International Christian Media Convention (NRB 2025), held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

While attending the convention to promote his latest book, The Life Coach, as well as his upcoming book, Kick it Up a Notch, Dr. Thompson interviewed and met with national and international media outlets, including World Christian Broadcasting; MRG Media's Homeschool Companion; Christ For All Nations; Florida Nations Church; The Christian Post's online lifestyle magazine, Crossmap.com; and more.

"Spending time at the NRB Convention is always enjoyable," says Thompson. "Besides making new friends, I got to reconnect with those I’ve met at previous conventions."

Dr. Thompson, who has been interviewed by media outlets including Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Associated Press, CBS and NBC News and Sports, ABC and Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and more, kicked his way into the record books at age 61 in 2009. Despite having not played football in over 40 years, Thompson cemented himself in college football history by becoming the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point.

That history-making kick put tiny Austin College on the sports media map, thrusting both Thompson and his coach, Texas football legend Ronnie Gage, into the national media spotlight.

"If you have a God-given dream, it doesn't matter how old you are; He will fulfill it," says Thompson. "However, it may not happen in the way you expect. I envisioned myself as a college football player at ages 18, 19, or 20, and I would have been content with that. But now I realize that I wouldn't have been able to help anyone in that role."

Dr. Thompson has detailed his remarkable accomplishments in his inspiring autobiography, Kick Start: A Story of Overcoming Life's Obstacles to Inspire You to Kick Start Your Future (Carpenter's Son Publishing).

Dr. Thompson's latest book is The Life Coach: Small-Town Lessons on Faith, Family and Football (Clovercroft Publishing), which he co-authored with Coach Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan.

These days, the Texas football icon has found new meaning in The Life Coach, as his son Jon Rawles Thompson recently completed his first season on the Austin College football team where Dr. Thompson made his record-breaking kick and is a member of the coaching staff.

"I'm just thrilled to have the opportunity to coach alongside my son," says Dr. Thompson. "His mother and I are so proud of him—he has worked very hard for this opportunity."

Dr. Thompson is also currently working on his next book, called Kick it Up a Notch, teaming up again with Gage and Sullivan as his co-writers. The new book offers motivation and a game plan to help older adults and retirees who need a purpose to live their best life.

Along the way, Dr. Thompson is continuing his commitment to lifelong learning as he works to finish up his Masters degree in Legal Studies from the Regent University School of Law in Fall 2025.

For more information on Dr. Thompson and The Life Coach, visit 91kick.com, or like him on Facebook.

Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II's latest book, The Life Coach, is a collaboration with Texas football coaching legend Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan. (Cover image courtesy of Clovercroft Publishing) (Roark Photography photo)

About Tom Thompson:

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, a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree from Regent University, and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Austin College.

A former Board of Advisors member of the American Council on Martial Arts, Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 10th degree black belt. Thompson is also the Brand Ambassador for Evil Cowboy Hot Sauce, an heirloom Texas hot sauce company.

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.

Thompson wrote his name in the record books, then went on to literally write the book on motivation for older adults who are approaching their golden years, as well as anyone seeking a career change, to seize their future with both hands.

Thompson detailed his remarkable accomplishments in his motivational and autobiographical book, Kick Start: A Story of Overcoming Life's Obstacles to Inspire You to Kick Start Your Future (Carpenter's Son Publishing), which he co-wrote with Alice Sullivan, and Get a Kick Out of Life: Expect the Best of Your Body, Mind, and Soul at Any Age (Clovercroft Publishing), co-written with Christopher P. Neck, (Mastering Self Leadership), along with Alice Sullivan (Kick Start).

Thompson, who is an active researcher in the fields of motivation and change, has also co-authored numerous articles in peer reviewed academic journals, as well as the book Fit To Lead: The Proven 8-Week Solution for Shaping Up Your Body, Your Mind, and Your Career (St. Martin's Press), which he co-authored with Christopher P. Neck and Charles C. Manz (respected pioneers in the field of self leadership, and co-authors of Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence) and Tedd L. Mitchell (Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, former CEO of the Cooper Clinic, and former health editor for USA Weekend).

Thompson’s latest book is The Life Coach: Small-Town Lessons on Faith, Family, and Football (Clovercroft Publishing), which he co-authored with Texas football coaching legend Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan.

About NRB 2025:

The International Christian Media Convention (NRB 2025), held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, is the world’s largest gathering of Christian communicators and ministry professionals. Attendees learned hands-on-skills through a variety of keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions from over 100 speakers. They gained access to key insights and strategies from the largest Christian media companies in the world. And they had the opportunity to network with thousands of fellow Christian communicators.

NRB 2025 equipped attendees to grow their ministry, church, or organization, reach more people with their message, and to engage their audience effectively.

For more information, visit NRBConvention.org.

To schedule an interview, contact:

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Phone: 615-262-1727

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NCAA RECORD HOLDER & AUTHOR, DR. EMMET C. (TOM) THOMPSON II, INTERVIEWS WITH NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS DURING NRB 2025 IN GRAPEVINE, TEXAS

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