They say age is just a number. Justin Buzzard apparently took that personally.
The 47-year-old California pastor is set to join the San Jose City College Jaguars as a defensive end. Yes, you read that correctly. Defensive end, not assistant coach, not motivational speaker and not the guy handing out water bottles.
Buzzard is getting back on the field nearly 30 years after his last college football game.
Most people hit 47 and start talking about retirement, lower back pain, and how expensive everything has become. Buzzard looked at 47 and apparently thought, “You know what would be fun? Tackling college football players.”
47-year-old pastor Justin Buzzard is joining the San Jose City College Jaguars as a defensive end 🔥
Buzzard's last game was 30 years ago but says his body has been "holding up a lot better than he thought" 💯
(Via @JustinBuzzard, @SJCC_Football) pic.twitter.com/g9fOpjMLFS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 24, 2026
Honestly, respect.
When you wake up at 2:30am to do an interview 😀
You can catch the full interview online, link in comments. #collegefootball https://t.co/edJHDM7xwm
— Justin Buzzard (@JustinBuzzard) August 17, 2026
“No one’s going easy on me… and I’m not going easy on them,” Justin Buzzard told Fox & Friends First co-host Todd Piro. “I’m giving them everything I’ve got, too.”
Buzzard added that he was initially apprehensive about how he would be received in the locker room, but his younger teammates have welcomed him with open arms.
“I was really wondering, ‘How are they going to handle… a 47-year-old guy showing up?'” he said. “Are they going to receive me? Are they going to accept me? Will they try to go easy on me? Will they try to attack me? And they’ve been incredible.”
Buzzard said his top goal is to “go the distance” and make it through the entire season. The Jaguars will open the 2026 season on Saturday against College of the Redwoods.
At an age when many people are searching for the best orthopedic specialist, Buzzard is searching for a roster spot.
The Jaguars are getting a defensive end with experience, motivation and probably a very good reason to stretch before practice.
Never say never and Justin Buzzard certainly isn’t!
