47-Year-Old Pastor Makes College Football Team After Preaching Men Should ‘Play Big’

Faith Facts

• Justin Buzzard, founder and lead pastor of Garden City Church, made the San Jose City College football team at age 47
• The pastor has long preached that men should ‘play big’ with their lives and live boldly for Christ
• Buzzard’s decision to try out demonstrates his commitment to practicing what he preaches about courage and taking risks

A California pastor who has spent years encouraging men to live courageously and embrace challenges has put his own message to the test in an extraordinary way. Justin Buzzard, the 47-year-old founder and lead pastor of Garden City Church, successfully tried out for and earned a spot on the San Jose City College football team.

Buzzard has built his ministry around calling men to “play big” with their lives—a message that emphasizes living boldly, taking risks, and maximizing the gifts God has given them. Rather than simply preaching this philosophy from the pulpit, the pastor decided to demonstrate it on the football field.

The decision to try out for a college football team at nearly 50 years old represents a significant physical and personal challenge. Most college athletes are in their late teens and early twenties, making Buzzard’s achievement all the more remarkable.

For years, Buzzard has been urging Christian men to break free from comfort zones and mediocrity. His “play big” philosophy encourages believers to pursue excellence in all areas of life while maintaining their faith as the foundation. By joining the football team, he has shown that this message applies to him as much as to those he leads.

The pastor’s accomplishment serves as a powerful illustration of the principles he teaches. In an age when many pastors focus solely on spiritual disciplines, Buzzard’s willingness to embrace physical challenge demonstrates a holistic approach to Christian masculinity that values both spiritual and physical strength.

Garden City Church, which Buzzard founded, has become known for its emphasis on discipleship and calling men to lives of purpose and impact. His personal example of stepping into a demanding new arena at an age when many are settling into comfortable routines reinforces the church’s core message.

The story resonates particularly in a cultural moment when traditional masculinity is often questioned or criticized. Buzzard’s example offers a vision of manhood rooted in courage, discipline, and the willingness to pursue difficult goals—all while maintaining a foundation of faith.

His decision also highlights an important principle in Christian leadership: authenticity. By living out the same challenges he calls others to embrace, Buzzard demonstrates the kind of integrity that builds trust and inspires congregations.

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