Tom Cillo, the 58-year-old defensive lineman and powerlifter hoping to become the oldest player to play in a college football game since 2009, is building his own brand. Cillo signed a name, image and likeness deal with Aspercreme on Friday, becoming the oldest player to sign an NIL deal.

Cillo, a freshman at Division III Lycoming, received an undisclosed payment as part of the deal. He will also receive a four-year supply of the over-the-counter pain relief product as part of the partnership, the Martin Agency and Philip Durocher, chief marketing officer for Opella, a parent company for Aspercreme, confirmed.

“I’m living proof that you are never too old to chase your dream,” Cillo said. “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.”

According to Durocher and The Martin Agency, the move is Aspercreme’s first NIL deal and was finalized in just 72 hours after Opella learned of Cillo’s story.

“We are always on the lookout for age-defying individuals like Tom Cillo — people who challenge expectations and redefine what it means to ‘act your age.’ While Tom’s story is on a football field, our commitment goes beyond sports,” Durocher said. “Our mission is to empower those 55 and up who are breaking barriers and proving that age is not a limit.”

Cillo has been a powerlifter for more than two decades and broke the International PowerLifting Association World Record for his age group in the deadlift in 2024 by lifting 580 pounds. He retired from his full-time job and is now pursuing his dream of playing college football, while trying to obtain a criminal justice degree. He went viral on social media in August ahead of the team’s media day when he posted an Instagram video of his workouts, discussing his journey.

If Cillo plays a snap this season, he will become the oldest player to appear in an NCAA game since 61-year-old kicker Tom Thompson debuted for Division III Austin. Alan Moore was 61 in 2011 when he kicked for Faulkner, an NAIA school in Alabama.

(Photo by Dave Kennedy / The Williamsport Sun-Gazette)