From Regret to Redemption: Mike Flynt Shares His Story Behind "The Senior" Movie

Angel, the film & TV distribution platform curated by over one million members of the Angel Guild, proudly announces the signing of the anticipated sports drama from Wayfarer Studios, THE SENIOR, and sets new nationwide theatrical release on September 19, 2025. 

Directed by Rod Lurie (THE CONTENDER, STRAW DOGS) and written by Robert Eisele (THE GREAT DEBATERS), THE SENIOR is based on the true story of Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis) who, 35 years after getting kicked off his college football team, decides to return to the gridiron for his senior year of eligibility and prove to his family, former teammates, and himself that it's never too late to tackle your dreams. Mary Stuart Masterson, Brandon Flynn, James Badge Dale, and Rob Corddry round out the cast.

We are honored to be able to chat with Mike Flynt for this exclusive interview.

Q: Mike, thanks for doing this interview with us. Briefly tell us what "The Senior" is about. 

The Senior is a true story about a man that struggled with violence throughout his young life but by the grace of God, received a second chance to go back and overcome his greatest regret in life, and rewrite the final chapter in his athletic career.

Q: Why did you decide to share your story through this movie?

A movie about my life experiences was never on my radar!  In fact, when I was first contacted by an AP Writer that told me this might one day be a movie, I asked him, "who cares about an old guy going back to college to play football?"  However, several companies in Hollywood convinced me that my story was one worthy of a movie.  So, here we are. 

Q: Why were you initially kicked off the college football team?

Going into my senior year I had been involved in 10 off the field, fist fights on campus over a 2 year period.  The fight that I had during two-a-day practices was the straw that broke the camel's back for the Sul Ross administration.

Q: What compelled you to make a return? What happened in the in-between years?

Getting kicked off that team and out of college had become my greatest regret in life.  I never talked with anyone about it because I just didn't think (from a rules standpoint) that there was anything I could do about that regret.  I went on with my life and entered into the fitness business.  I became one of the 5 founding members of the National Strength Coaches Association and was a strength and conditioning coach at The University of Nebraska, The University of Oregon and Texas A&M University.  I always had a philosophy about my training that I would never ask one of my athletes to do something that I wasn't willing to do myself.  So, I stayed in great shape helping others get in shape.  After I resigned from coaching I did not stop training...lifting weights, running sprints...all of it. When I found out 37 years later that I still had a semester of eligibility left, I was in good enough shape to walk on and make the college team at a linebacker position.

Q: Do you have a favorite scene in the movie? If so, why?

My favorite scene in the movie was of me hugging my son.  Micah and I were/are always extremely close.  When Micah was born I made a promise to myself that I would never do to my son what my Dad had done to me.  In the movie they broke my promise. I understood why they had to do it the way that they did but that didn't make it any less painful to see that conflict (that didn't happen) portrayed in the film between Micah and myself.  So, no doubt, the scene where I hug Micah is my favorite scene in the movie.

Q: How will this movie be of encouragement to our readers?

We all have regrets in life. Some of those are public, many are private.  This movie is a true story about a man that knew he could not change his past but he could possibly do something to change the meaning of that past regret.  By the grace of God he was able to accomplish that feat.  But even if he had not...he had tried...he made the supreme effort and there was great comfort in knowing that even if he didn't succeed in his goal, at least he had tried to change that meaning of his past.  So, you have to step up and try...failure is not part of the discussion/decision, if that happens you deal with it at the time; but you have to believe in yourself and try!  And it doesn't have to be a regret...maybe it's a dream that you have had for years and you just can't shake it...go after that dream...not every journey has to have a destination...just start moving forward and see where it goes, and write your dreams down in pencil because they will change/evolve but they are still your dreams.  Be like Mike...trust in God and chase every dream He places on your heart and then glorify Him when He enables you to accomplish that dream!!   

Watch the trailer HERE.

 

Tags : The Senior Movie Mike Flynt Mike Flynt interview