(NewsNation) — Tom Cillo is defying the odds in his quest to show that it's never too late to chase your dreams.

At 58 years old, Cillo is a freshman defensive lineman for the Division III Lycoming College Warriors in his hometown of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He aims to become the oldest player to appear in an NCAA college football game since 2009.

Cillo stands at an imposing 6 feet, 227 pounds and is a powerlifting champion, having broken the International Powerlifting Association World Record in the deadlift for the 55-59 age group in 2024, when he lifted 580 pounds.

In high school, Cillo played basketball and signed up to play football, but quit immediately after he started drinking, as reported by The Athletic.

“I started doing things at 15 years old that I probably shouldn’t have at that age, and it set me on a different path in life,” Cillo told The Athletic.

He continued to struggle with drugs and alcohol for much of his young adult life, but now, after raising a family and committing to a healthy lifestyle, Cillo has a shot at redemption.

If Cillo plays a snap, he will become the oldest player to appear in an NCAA game since Tom Thompson debuted as a kicker for DIII Austin College at the age of 61 in 2009.

Cillo becomes oldest college football player to sign NIL deal

Last week, The Athletic reported that Cillo signed a name, image and likeness deal with Aspercreme, making him the oldest college football player to sign an NIL deal.

He will receive an undisclosed payment as part of the deal, along with a four-year supply of the over-the-counter pain relief product.

“I’m living proof that you are never too old to chase your dream,” Cillo told The Athletic. “At 58, I’m still lacing up, competing, and showing that passion doesn’t age. I may have more aches and pains than I used to, but then I just roll on some Aspercreme and show the younger guys that grit beats pain every time.”

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