Should a 47 year old play basketball?

While I can’t speak for anyone else, the answer is NO for this 47 year old as I sit in the waiting room of Summit Orthopedics with crutches and a boot issued by hometown emergency room.

A few weeks ago, I saw a Facebook post about an alumni basketball game over the holidays. Marinette versus Menominee, or the legendary M&M game as it’s known back home.

I haven’t played much basketball recently, other than coaching Jack’s team last year, but I still consider myself in pretty good shape. It sounded fun. Even if I only played a few minutes, what could go wrong?

A couple people commented that I could get hurt. Fair point. But I figured if I stretched, warmed up properly, and didn’t do anything reckless, I would be fine.

Warm ups went great. I even knocked down a few three pointers. I was clearly the oldest guy on the roster, but then I watched Jodi from my class play in the women’s game, and she looked fantastic. That gave me a little extra confidence.

I didn’t check in right away. When I finally did, I joked with the guy I was guarding and said, “Take it easy on the old man.”

I started out feeling pretty good, running the floor and grabbing a rebound. After a few trips up and down the court, though, I thought about subbing out. But I told myself, one more stoppage of play.

That turned out to be a mistake.

I ran down the court, came off a screen, got an open look, caught the pass, and went up for the shot.

Pop in my calf.

My night was over.

As I limped off the court, my mind raced. How bad is this? How are we driving across the state tomorrow? How am I going to manage everything I normally do?

Heather and I headed to the ER. They sent me home with a boot and crutches. We drove back through a snowstorm the next day, and I followed up with a specialist at Summit Orthopedics.

Thankfully, it’s a calf strain or tear, not an Achilles. I can ditch the crutches, and with rest and physical therapy, I should be back to normal in a few weeks, maybe a few months.

So, What Did I Learn?

Sure, maybe the obvious lesson is that pickup basketball at 47 comes with more risk than reward.

But the bigger lessons surprised me.

Listen to the early warning signs. My body told me it was time to step out. I ignored it.

Pride is sneaky. Sometimes “one more play” isn’t about fun. It’s about not wanting to feel old.

Gratitude shows up fast when plans fall apart. I’m incredibly thankful for Heather and my family, who immediately stepped in to help without hesitation.

Aging isn’t about stopping. It’s about adapting. I still want to compete, stay active, and say yes to experiences, but maybe with a little more wisdom next time.

Health is easy to take for granted until it isn’t. Walking without thinking about it is a gift.

I may not lace up for alumni basketball again, but I’m grateful I can still learn, laugh, and heal from it.

And next time my body whispers, I’ll try not to wait for it to shout.

Learn in the flow of life.

Jason