From Battalion Chief to Panthers' Mentor: Jerry Buzzetta's Lifelong Commitment to Service
IFL Bay Area Panthers

From Battalion Chief to Panthers' Mentor: Jerry Buzzetta's Lifelong Commitment to Service

Published on July 8, 2025 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


When the Bay Area Panthers take the field for First Responders Night this Friday, July 11th, few people on the sidelines will understand the sacrifices and challenges of those being honored more than Jerry Buzzetta.

Now entering his third season as the team's Success Mentor, Buzzetta's role goes far beyond football. He is a guiding presence in the locker room, drawing on decades of personal experience to help Panthers players grow not only as athletes, but as men.

Before joining the Panthers, Buzzetta spent over 33 years serving the community as a first responder, including a distinguished career with the San Jose Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Battalion Chief. His service wasn't limited to firefighting. He worked in emergency medical services across the Bay Area and taught Fire Science at numerous academies and institutions throughout his career. His resume includes everything from training future firefighters to working with Homeland Security, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service.

But behind the accolades and certifications including Incident Commander, Hazardous Materials Responder, and Urban Search and Rescue Specialist, there is a deeply personal story of struggle, growth, and healing.

"I thought internalizing everything was the best way to be strong and 'man up,' just as most others did in the fire service," Buzzetta says of his decades battling the hidden wounds of trauma and PTSD. "But I was very wrong. It was self-destructive."

Years of pushing down emotions and working through pain, both physical and emotional, led Buzzetta to a breaking point. After a serious back injury sustained during a life-saving rescue, nine surgeries, and decades of emotional scars from the job, he nearly took his own life. It was the thought of his wife, Barbara, and their four children that stopped him.

That moment of crisis marked the beginning of a new chapter. Buzzetta retired and committed himself to personal transformation, dedicating over 500 hours to intensive holistic life coach training. Slowly, he peeled back the layers of anger and detachment that had built up over the years.

Today, Buzzetta holds certifications as a Master Life Coach and runs his own coaching business, BuzzettaQuette, where he helps others work through adversity, overcome trauma, and find joy again.

With the Panthers, he brings that same passion and wisdom to his role. Whether leading group sessions on mental toughness, offering personal counseling, or delivering talks on resilience, relationships, and life skills, Buzzetta has become a trusted mentor to players navigating the ups and downs of professional sports.

As the Panthers celebrate First Responders Night, Buzzetta's story serves as a powerful reminder that bravery is not just about what happens on the job. It is also about having the courage to heal, grow, and help others do the same.

We invite all fans to join us not only in cheering on the Panthers but also in honoring the dedication and sacrifice of first responders who protect and serve our community every day.

Get your tickets for the regular season Home Finale to reserve specially priced seats for Friday, July 11th at 7 PM. When you do, you'll receive an exclusive promo code to save on playoff tickets once they go on sale.

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