49-year-old Army veteran is playing college football in North Dakota

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The North Dakota State College of Science has an interesting player on its football team.

49-year-old Ray Ruschel is a backup defensive lineman for the college, according to the Associated Press.

Rusche, who had served almost two decades in the Army and National Guard, decided to enroll at the college while working night shifts at a sugar beet plant.

Business management interested him, as he thought the degree would help him move up the ranks in the factory.

When he learned that the school had a football team and that he was eligible, he jumped at the opportunity.

His last football game before joining the team was when he was a high school senior in Pennsylvania, nearly 30 years ago.

“Something just clicked in my head, like, ‘Why not play?’ ” Ruschel said.

He keeps a very busy schedule with the overnight shift at the factory, the gym, schoolwork, afternoon practice and rest between it all.

Ruschel is also a single father to two adult children.

The College of Science is embracing the football team and loving the story.