Charlie Garner facts for kids

Charlie Garner III (born February 13, 1972) is a former professional football player from the United States. He was a very talented running back in the National Football League (NFL).

Charlie played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. After college, he was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1994 NFL Draft. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Growing Up and High School

Charlie Garner grew up in Falls Church, Virginia. He went to J.E.B. Stuart High School, which is now called Justice High School.

In his final year of high school, Charlie was an amazing player. He ran for over 2,000 yards and scored 38 touchdowns. He was named Virginia's player of the year. This means he was the best high school football player in the whole state!

In 2009, his high school honored him by retiring his number 30 jersey. This means no other player at the school will ever wear that number again.

College Football Journey

Before going to a big university, Charlie played at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona in 1991. There, he set new records for rushing yards in a single game (430 yards). He also set a record for yards in two games in a row (765 yards).

After that, Charlie transferred to the University of Tennessee. He continued to be a strong player there. He even played ahead of another future NFL running back, James Stewart. Charlie also earned a business degree from the university.

Playing in the NFL

Charlie Garner was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. Being drafted means a professional team chooses a college player to join their team.

He was known as a very versatile running back. This means he was great at both running with the ball and catching passes. In 1995, he had an incredible game against Washington. He ran for 120 yards and scored three touchdowns!

Later, with the Oakland Raiders in the 2002–03 season, Charlie was a key player. He led his team in rushing yards with 962 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 91 passes for 941 yards, which was one of the best receiving seasons ever for a running back.

Charlie had a special nickname: "IO." This stood for "Instant Offense." He got this name because he was so good at both running and catching the ball. He could create exciting plays instantly. When he scored a touchdown, he would often make a crossed forearm symbol. This was a tribute to his neighborhood in Virginia.

After a knee injury, Charlie was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005. During his NFL career, he ran for over 7,000 yards and scored 39 touchdowns. He also caught over 400 passes for more than 3,700 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Life After Football

After his football career, Charlie Garner faced some health challenges. In 2017, doctors told him they believed he might have a brain condition. This condition is linked to head injuries that can happen during a football career.

Charlie has shared that he sometimes has trouble remembering things. For example, he might need help remembering where his car is parked. He also mentioned that bright lights can bother him. He continues to manage these challenges in his daily life.