NCAA RECORD HOLDER CELEBRATES NEW FAMILY MILESTONE ON TOM THOMPSON APPRECIATION DAY, TODAY, JANUARY 12, 2024
/Texas Football Icon, Author, Motivational Speaker and Respected Fitness Researcher, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, Honored Today by His Hometown of Coppell, Texas, for Amazing Achievements in College Football
NCAA record holder, author, college football coach, motivational speaker, and respected researcher Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II's hometown of Coppell, Texas celebrates his amazing achievements in college football during Tom Thompson Appreciation Day every year on January 12. (Roark Photography photo)
COPPELL, Texas (January 12, 2024) - NCAA record holder, author, college football coach, motivational speaker, and respected researcher Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II's hometown of Coppell, Texas, celebrates his amazing achievements in college football during Tom Thompson Appreciation Day every year on January 12.
But this year is especially dear to the hearts of the Texas football icon and his family, as they also celebrate another significant family milestone.
Thompson's son, Jon Rawles, is a high school senior and running back on the football team at Coppell High School. Jon Rawles was recently offered to play football at Austin College, where Thompson made his NCAA record-breaking kick and is a member of the coaching staff. Jon Rawles will become a member of the Class of 2028 at Austin College next Fall.
"I'm just thrilled to have the opportunity to coach alongside my son," says Thompson. "His mother and I are so proud of him—he has worked very hard for this opportunity."
“I’m also proud and humbled to be honored by Coppell, Texas. This is the hometown everyone wishes they grew up in,” says Thompson. “It’s a great place to live and raise a family."
On November 14, 2009, Thompson became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point. At 61, Thompson kicked his way into the record books by scoring the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University.
That kick made history and 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, with coverage by outlets including CBS and NBC News and Sports, ABC and Fox News, ESPN, Associated Press, CNN, MSNBC, Sports Illustrated, and more.
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),
His 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.
For more information on Dr. Thompson, Coach Gage, and The Life Coach, visit 91kick.com, or follow on Facebook (facebook.com/91kick or facebook.com/The-Life-Coach-109739473832583/), Instagram (instagram.com/91kick), or X, formerly known as Twitter (@91kick or @RonnieRgage).
About Tom Thompson:
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)
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.
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