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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

47-year-old California pastor makes college football roster 30 years after an injury ended his career, inspired by a video of a 60-year-old player

A 47-year-old California pastor has returned to college football nearly three decades after an injury ended his playing career, after his son showed him a video of a 60-year-old man playing the sport. Justin Buzzard, a pastor, husband and father of three, has made the San José City College Jaguars roster as a defensive end after spending years away from competitive football. Buzzard played football in high school and continued into college before injuries forced him to stop in the 1990s. Decades later, a video showing an older man playing football prompted his son to ask whether his father could make a similar comeback. Buzzard took the challenge seriously, began training again and eventually contacted San José City College. After working through practices and conditioning with players far younger than him, he earned a place on the roster and is now preparing for the 2026 season.

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