Does Dirkembe Mutombo proved that age only a number?

Age may not be a factor in his performance, but age is NOT just a number. It is a sign of survival, attainment, and experience. The "age is only a number" attitude is a denial of the the respect of the rights of passage into adulthood, and then into the statues of being a senior or "elder". It makes excuses for those who are younger to be disrespecful and cheapens life.