Ex-military looking to play

Question
I am 22 and recently left the military to pursue a degree. I am currently in a community college that does not have a football program. I have two questions.
1. While I was in active duty, I signed up for a semi-pro team. I never played high school football, but the coaches liked my progress at the safety position. I got hurt before the first game and then soon after I left on deployment. Will this affect my eligibility to a college program?

2. The injury was eventually diagnosed as chronic tendonitis in my Achilles tendon. I have heard that people play with this condition, but I have yet to see an actual report or account of this. Have you seen anyone play with tendonitis and were the successful?

Answer
Dear Justin,
To answer your first question, if you were paid for playing semi-pro football, the answer is yes, it can affect your eligibility. My advice to you is to talk to the college football coach, where you are planning to attend, and ask him what he thinks.

To answer your second question, I am not a Doctor. However, I know that they are doing wonderful things with sport medicine these days. My advice to you is to see a Doctor that specializes in your type of injury and ask him what he thinks.  Let me know if I can be of anymore help.

Your friend, Louis