Man, 80, shoots hoops for birthday bash

MAPLE VALLEY, Wash., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A Washington state man celebrated his 80th birthday with his favorite activity, a game of pickup basketball with men decades younger than him.

Pete Ryan of Maple Valley, who said he plays three to four games of pickup hoops each week, shot baskets Sunday at Cedar River Middle School for more than an hour with about two dozen men he has played with in various pickup games over the years, The Seattle Times reported Monday.

Ryan said he has never stopped playing basketball except while serving in Korea.

Ryan's son, Mark, said he used to worry about his elderly father engaging in such a physical sport. However, he said he has come to realize that basketball is part of what keeps his father healthy and vibrant.

"You know," he said, "I actually worry more about the day he can't play basketball."