47-year-old California dad joins college football team in wild comeback

A college football athlete whose injuries derailed his playing career during his freshman year has decided to come back onto the field and compete — at the age of 47.

Justin Buzzard, a South Bay pastor at Garden City Church, tried out for and made the football team this year for the San Jose City College Jaguars.

Buzzard told NBC Bay Area that he got the idea after his son flagged for him a social media reel where a man in his sixties was playing football on the East Coast. Buzzard said he played football all throughout high school and the first year of college.

“It stirred up in me this thought of, maybe I should give it a shot,” he said on reviving his football dreams.

He reached out to a coach at the college, who to his surprise, agreed to talk with him. He now is lining up again as a defensive end, the position he played during his college experience, with his own locker and equipment.

“Here’s the standard, here’s the rules that we go by, as long as you can maintain those, I’ll give you an opportunity,” recounted Jim Winkler, head coach for the Jaguars, on what he first said to Buzzard.

Winkler said having Buzzard on board is actually a benefit.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

“He’s been on the other side now. What I talk to these young guys about all the time, about not having regrets and leaving things undone, now he’s coming back,” the coach said.

There could be complications for his new football career, given he is older and now more susceptible to physical injuries. Buzzard told NBC that his body is bruised and aches here and there.

“My body’s holding up a lot better than I thought,” he said. “Football, that’s the risk, is you get bruised, you get hurt, but I’m doing pretty well.”

Ultimately, Buzzard said he’s grateful for the opportunity and really enjoys his team.

“We have a great brotherhood and family culture going on,” said Buzzard, who acknowledges that his new teammates, whose fathers are likely his age, have nicknamed him “OG.”

His first game will be Aug. 29 at San Jose City College, he said.