Colin Samuel, the 51yr old "Sackmaster"

Colin Samuel may have been born in Halifax, but since 1991, Cornwall has been his playground—literally. At 51 years old, Colin is still a force to be reckoned with in Cornwall’s flag football league. Having played in 27 seasons and counting, this veteran athlete is far from calling it quits. Whether you know him as the "Sackmaster" or simply as Colin, one thing is for sure: this guy knows his way around a football field.

Back in 1993, Colin didn’t even know what flag football was, let alone that he’d become a league legend. “A friend asked me to give it a try,” Colin recalls. “I had never played football before, but I figured, why not?” Little did he know, he was about to discover a hidden talent for rushing quarterbacks. Like many new recruits blessed with speed, Colin was thrown into the role of pass rusher. And guess what? He was really good at it. So good, in fact, that his friends started calling him the “Sackmaster.” “The name kind of stuck,” he laughs. “I ended up being a rusher for nearly 20 years. It’s not something I planned, but hey, if the shoe fits!”

As the quarterbacks got younger and quicker, Colin decided it was time for a change. Rather than hanging up his cleats, he transitioned to the snapper position—a move that allowed him to stay in the game while saving his knees for the post-game beers.

When you’ve played for as long as Colin, you’ve got more than just a few good stories to tell. He’s suited up for a handful of teams, including Upper Canada Mortgage, Cameron’s Accounting, Freeman’s Demons, and his current squad, Co-operators Insurance. But it’s not just the jerseys that matter to him; it’s the championships. Colin’s won three, and each one holds a special place in his heart.             “I love winning, don’t get me wrong,” Colin says, “but some of my favorite moments have nothing to do with the score. It’s the camaraderie that keeps me coming back. On the field, we’re enemies, but as soon as that whistle blows, we’re sharing drinks, laughs, and maybe even a few stories about who tackled who.”

If you ask Colin about his proudest accomplishments, winning Defensive MVP four times is right up there. “I still take pride in that,” he admits. “But honestly, playing with my buddies is what it’s all about.”

For Colin, flag football isn’t just a hobby—it’s a family affair. “My wife has been supporting me since the beginning, and my kids grew up at the field,” he says. "You’ll see family members, kids, dogs, even grandparents out there. It’s more than just a league—it’s a community.”

At 51, Colin knows he’s one of the older guys out there, but he’s not slowing down. “I hope to play for as long as I can,” he says. "I look up to guys like Brian O'Neill, Steve McGillis, and Dave Branchaud who are still going strong. If they can do it, I figure I can too."

The league may only run for two and a half months—starting in late August and wrapping up with the championship game in October—but for Colin, it’s the highlight of the year. “I get excited for it every time,” he says. “I’ve never missed a game. I’ve been late, maybe had to leave early, but I’m there. Every game.”

With over 27 seasons under his belt, Colin Samuel, the "Sackmaster," is showing no signs of slowing down. And as long as there are quarterbacks to sack, you can bet he’ll be out there—enjoying every minute."