'A great experience'

S. Carolina's 39-year-old walk-on a hit on Late Night with David Letterman

Tim "Pops" Frisby talks about his college football career with David Letterman. AP/Jeffrey R. Staab, CBS

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Sounds like David Letterman is as big a "Pops" fan as most everyone else.

The media blitz of 39-year-old South Carolina football freshman, Tim Frisby, hit Broadway on Thursday as the Gamecocks wide receiver appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.

The show was broadcast Thursday night.

"It was a great experience," Frisby said. "This is unreal what's happening."

Frisby, recently retired from the Army after 20 years, was invited to Letterman's show at the Ed Sullivan Theatre after he made his college football debut with the Gamecocks last week.

Frisby was in for the final four plays as South Carolina held off Troy 17-7 this past Saturday night. He had been cleared to play by the NCAA a week ago.

Flashbulbs popped as Frisby, wearing a garnet sweater, arrived at the Manhattan theater, he said. But they weren't for South Carolina's newest football celebrity -- he walked into the studio alongside John Travolta, another guest on the late night program. "That kind of took the edge off a little," Frisby said. "Because I knew the papparazzi weren't there for me."

After Travolta's segment, Letterman said, "at the age of 39, our next guest not only went back to college at the University of South Carolina, he also signed up for the football team, please welcome Tim Frisby, ladies and gentlemen."

Frisby then shared his story with one of TV's most famous late night hosts -- how Frisby was one of 60 walk-ons to try for the team, how he worked out with the Gamecocks throughout the year, and how he was among 12 selected to remain.

"It's 'Pops' everybody," Letterman said of Frisby's team nickname.

Frisby told Letterman when South Carolina coach Lou Holtz first realized the receiver's age, the coach called down to the trainer, "Do you know we have a 39-year-old who made the team?"

"Yeah," Frisby said, recalling the trainer's reply, "he's sitting right in front of me. He looks like he's about 22."

Letterman asked about Holtz. "This is a no-nonsense guy," Letterman said. "This is a guy who will, I have actually seen him eat a player."

"He don't eat players any more," Frisby countered.

Frisby showed a little late-night punch of his own. When Letterman asked about NCAA eligibility questions, Frisby answered it was difficult verifying his high school records since they were on "stone tablets." The host and audience broke up laughing.

Letterman wanted to know what Frisby was doing on the field with players nearly half his age. "Aren't you worried about really just getting thumped?" he asked.

Frisby remembered how safety Jermaine Harris "knocked my helmet sideways" during an early practice. "I got up and said,'Hey, I can do this,"' Frisby said.

Letterman wondered if Frisby would keep playing. "At least two of the years I'd like to play," Frisby said. "I'm enjoying myself."

"Pleasure meeting you," Letterman closed, ending Frisby's time in the TV spotlight -- for now.

The Letterman appearance was the latest national attention for the military man turned college football player. He was profiled in The New York Times and has been beset with movie and book offers for his tale.

"You watch the Letterman show growing up," said Frisby, who graduated from an Allentown, Pa., high school in 1983 then went into the Army. "To be on it is unbelievable."

He's not the only one in South Carolina's program with late-night experience. Holtz has made several appearances with Johnny Carson and Letterman. He recalled his first visit with Carson years ago and a producer telling him to relax before he went on stage.

"Then as he pulls the curtain open the last thing he says, 'Your fly's unzipped but don't worry about it.' I guess he tells it to everybody," Holtz said Thursday. "From then on, it was downhill."

Holtz said he gave Frisby a little TV advice.

"He's on this team because of his attitude and because of the way he works and the things he does," Holtz said. "I appreciate the sacrifice he's made."

Frisby hit New York City early Thursday morning. He visited Times Square and took pictures with some Gamecock fans who recognized him.

Frisby, granted an NCAA waiver to appear on the late-night show, won't go to Alabama with the team. He said he'll watch Saturday's game with the rest of the players not on the traveling squad. "It was good to represent the university," he said. "Now it'll be good to get back to the team."