Jeff Garcia facts for kids
Garcia with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 24, 1970 Gilroy, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Gilroy | ||||||
| College: | Gavilan (1989) San Jose State (1990–1993) |
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| Undrafted: | 1994 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career CFL statistics | |||||||
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Jeffrey Jason Garcia (born February 24, 1970) is a former professional football player from America. He played as a quarterback in both the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). Garcia went to high school and junior college in Gilroy, California. Later, he played college football for the San Jose State Spartans.
Garcia was chosen for the CFL All-Star team four times and the NFL Pro Bowl four times. He started his professional football journey with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in 1994. In 1999, Garcia joined the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers, he played in three Pro Bowls (in 2000, 2001, and 2002). He also led the team to the playoffs in the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
After his time with the 49ers, Garcia played for the Cleveland Browns in 2004 and the Detroit Lions in 2005. In 2006, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles. He stepped in when Donovan McNabb was injured and helped the Eagles reach the playoffs. Garcia then played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007 and 2008. He led Tampa Bay to the playoffs in 2007 and made his fourth Pro Bowl appearance.
After Tampa, Garcia briefly returned to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. In 2010, he played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. In 2011, Garcia signed with the Houston Texans but did not play in a game.
Contents
- Early Life and High School Football
- College Football Career
- Professional Football Journey
- Career Statistics
- Life After Playing Football
- Personal Life and Family
- Charity Work
Early Life and High School Football
Jeff Garcia grew up in Gilroy, California. He went to Gilroy High School. There, he was a top athlete in both football and basketball. In his senior year, Garcia was chosen for an All-Star Football Game. He played as a defensive back in that game.
College Football Career
After high school in 1988, Garcia attended Gavilan College, a local junior college. He was the starting quarterback for their football team in 1989. That year, he threw for 2,038 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran for 584 yards and four touchdowns. His great performance earned him All-America honors for junior colleges.
In 1990, Garcia moved to San Jose State University. He was the starting quarterback for the San Jose State Spartans football team from 1991 to 1993. In 1991, he completed 61.9% of his passes for 1,519 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 1992, he threw for 2,418 yards and 15 touchdowns. He had his best passing year in 1993 with 2,608 yards and 21 touchdowns. For his junior year in 1992, Garcia received All-America honors from UPI. By 2007, Garcia held the record for the most total offensive yards (7,274) in San Jose State history.
Professional Football Journey
Jeff Garcia is one of only eighteen quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 30 or more touchdowns in two years in a row. He also holds an NFL record for throwing a 99-yard touchdown pass. Only twelve other quarterbacks have done this.
Playing in the CFL: Calgary Stampeders
Garcia was considered too small for the National Football League at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. So, he was not picked in the 1994 NFL draft. In 1994, Garcia began his professional career in Canada with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He earned a spot on the team as their third-string quarterback.
Garcia became the starting quarterback in 1996 after Doug Flutie left the team. During Garcia's three years as a starter, the Stampeders had winning records. In 1997, Garcia won the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL Western Division. In 1998, he led the Stampeders to a Grey Cup victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was also named the Grey Cup MVP for his performance. Garcia led an 80-yard drive that set up the game-winning field goal on the last play. He was also named a CFL All-Star quarterback that year.
Garcia was honored by the Stampeders and added to their Wall of Fame on September 14, 2012.
Joining the NFL: San Francisco 49ers
After his Grey Cup win, Garcia signed with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. He was meant to be a backup to Steve Young. However, Young suffered an injury early in the 1999 season. Garcia stepped in and shared playing time.
Garcia won his first NFL start against the Tennessee Titans. He finished his first NFL season with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
2000 Season: First Pro Bowl
In the 2000 season, Steve Young had retired. Garcia kept his starting quarterback position. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance. He set a new 49ers team record with 4,278 passing yards. Garcia finished the 2000 season with 31 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions.
2001 Season: Playoff Appearance
By the 2001 season, Garcia was a solid starting quarterback for the 49ers. He threw a career-high 32 touchdown passes. With Garcia, the 49ers made it to the playoffs. However, they lost to Green Bay in the first round.
2002 Season: Division Champions
In 2002, Garcia's touchdown numbers went down, but the 49ers won the NFC West division. They won the division-clinching game against the Dallas Cowboys with a last-second touchdown pass. Garcia led a big comeback in that game.
On January 5, 2003, during the 2002–2003 playoffs, Garcia led the 49ers to a huge comeback win. They were down 38–14 to the New York Giants in the third quarter. The 49ers scored 25 points without the Giants scoring. They won 39–38. This amazing victory became a highlight of Garcia's 49ers career. He threw for 331 yards, 3 touchdowns, and also ran for 60 yards and 1 touchdown.
2003 Season: Final Year with 49ers
The 2003 season was tough for Garcia and the 49ers. The team changed coaches. Injuries to key players and Garcia's playing style affected the team. He missed three games that season. The 49ers finished with a 7–9 record and missed the playoffs. After the season, Garcia was released by the 49ers.
Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions
Garcia signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He faced challenges and injuries during the 2004 season. Despite this, Garcia tied the NFL record for the longest pass play (99 yards) with a completion to André Davis. He was released by the Browns after one season.
In 2005, he signed with the Detroit Lions. He broke his fibula in a preseason game. Garcia later started his first regular-season game for the Lions against his old team, the Browns. He led the Lions to a 13–10 victory. However, he struggled later in the season. The Lions did not offer him a new contract.
Philadelphia Eagles: First Time
On March 15, 2006, Garcia signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the main backup to Donovan McNabb. When McNabb suffered a season-ending knee injury in November 2006, Garcia became the starting quarterback.
Many experts thought the Eagles would not do well after McNabb's injury. But Garcia led the Eagles to five wins in a row. They won the NFC East division championship. He threw ten touchdowns and only two interceptions during this time. On January 7, 2007, Garcia earned his second playoff win. He threw for 153 yards and one touchdown in a 23–20 victory over the Giants. The Eagles later lost to the New Orleans Saints in the next round. Garcia threw for 240 yards in that game, including a 75-yard touchdown pass.
Garcia wanted to stay with the Eagles, but they decided not to offer him a new contract.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Garcia signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 3, 2007. He became their starting quarterback for the 2007 season. Garcia led the Buccaneers, who had a 4–12 record the year before, to the NFC South division title. They lost to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the playoffs. Garcia was chosen for his fourth Pro Bowl that season.
In the 2008 season, Garcia left a game due to injury. The Buccaneers used different quarterbacks throughout the year. During a win against the Seattle Seahawks, Garcia passed for 310 yards. This made his career total over 40,000 yards when combining his CFL and NFL statistics. This is a rare achievement in football. The Buccaneers lost their last four games and missed the playoffs. They did not re-sign Garcia.
Later Career: Raiders, Eagles, Nighthawks, Texans
Garcia signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He was expected to be a backup but was released before the season started.
After Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb was injured, the Eagles signed Garcia again on September 14, 2009. He was released later that month.
In 2010, Garcia played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. He won two offensive player of the week awards. He led game-winning drives in two different games.
On December 6, 2011, Garcia signed with the Houston Texans after their starting quarterback was injured. He was a backup but did not play in a game.
Career Statistics
| Key | |
|---|---|
| Grey Cup MVP | |
| Won the Grey Cup | |
| Led the league | |
| NFL record | |
| Bold | Career high |
CFL Career Stats
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | ||
| 1994 | Calgary | 7 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 10 | 3.3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 81.3 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 | Calgary | 18 | 8 | 230 | 364 | 63.3 | 3,358 | 9.2 | 60 | 25 | 7 | 108.1 | 61 | 396 | 6.5 | 25 | 5 |
| 1996 | Calgary | 18 | 18 | 315 | 537 | 58.7 | 4,225 | 7.9 | 104 | 25 | 16 | 86.9 | 92 | 657 | 7.1 | 30 | 6 |
| 1997 | Calgary | 17 | 17 | 354 | 566 | 62.5 | 4,573 | 8.1 | 52 | 33 | 14 | 97.0 | 135 | 727 | 5.4 | 28 | 7 |
| 1998 | Calgary | 18 | 17 | 348 | 554 | 62.8 | 4,276 | 7.7 | 62 | 28 | 15 | 92.3 | 94 | 575 | 6.1 | 46 | 6 |
| Career | 78 | 60 | 1,249 | 2,024 | 61.7 | 16,442 | 8.1 | 104 | 111 | 52 | 94.9 | 384 | 2,358 | 6.1 | 46 | 24 | |
NFL Career Stats
Regular Season
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1999 | SF | 13 | 10 | 2–8 | 225 | 375 | 60.0 | 2,544 | 6.8 | 62 | 11 | 11 | 77.9 | 45 | 231 | 5.1 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 104 | 5 | 2 |
| 2000 | SF | 16 | 16 | 6–10 | 355 | 561 | 63.3 | 4,278 | 7.6 | 69 | 31 | 10 | 97.6 | 72 | 414 | 5.8 | 33 | 4 | 24 | 155 | 7 | 1 |
| 2001 | SF | 16 | 16 | 12–4 | 316 | 504 | 62.7 | 3,538 | 7.0 | 61 | 32 | 12 | 94.8 | 72 | 254 | 3.5 | 25 | 5 | 26 | 114 | 9 | 3 |
| 2002 | SF | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 328 | 528 | 62.1 | 3,344 | 6.3 | 76 | 21 | 10 | 85.6 | 73 | 353 | 4.8 | 21 | 3 | 17 | 93 | 2 | 2 |
| 2003 | SF | 13 | 13 | 5–8 | 225 | 392 | 57.4 | 2,704 | 6.9 | 75 | 18 | 13 | 80.1 | 56 | 319 | 5.7 | 21 | 7 | 21 | 104 | 9 | 3 |
| 2004 | CLE | 11 | 10 | 3–7 | 144 | 252 | 57.1 | 1,731 | 6.9 | 99 | 10 | 9 | 76.7 | 35 | 169 | 4.8 | 21 | 2 | 24 | 99 | 9 | 6 |
| 2005 | DET | 6 | 5 | 1–4 | 102 | 173 | 59.0 | 937 | 5.4 | 49 | 3 | 6 | 65.1 | 17 | 51 | 3.0 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 34 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | PHI | 8 | 6 | 5–1 | 116 | 188 | 61.7 | 1,309 | 7.0 | 65 | 10 | 2 | 95.8 | 25 | 87 | 3.5 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 6 | 2 |
| 2007 | TB | 13 | 13 | 8–5 | 209 | 327 | 63.9 | 2,440 | 7.5 | 69 | 13 | 4 | 94.6 | 35 | 116 | 3.3 | 21 | 1 | 19 | 104 | 4 | 2 |
| 2008 | TB | 12 | 11 | 6–5 | 244 | 376 | 64.9 | 2,712 | 7.2 | 71 | 12 | 6 | 90.2 | 35 | 148 | 4.2 | 20 | 1 | 23 | 100 | 7 | 2 |
| 2009 | PHI | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | −2 | −0.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | HOU | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career | 125 | 116 | 58–58 | 2,264 | 3,676 | 61.6 | 25,537 | 6.9 | 99 | 161 | 83 | 87.5 | 468 | 2,140 | 4.6 | 33 | 26 | 181 | 947 | 60 | 24 | |
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2001 | SF | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 22 | 32 | 68.8 | 233 | 7.3 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 87.1 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | SF | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 49 | 85 | 57.6 | 524 | 6.2 | 76 | 3 | 4 | 68.0 | 7 | 60 | 8.6 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 3 | 1 |
| 2006 | PHI | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 32 | 61 | 52.5 | 393 | 6.4 | 75 | 2 | 0 | 83.6 | 8 | 23 | 2.9 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | TB | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 23 | 39 | 59.0 | 207 | 5.3 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 60.5 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | HOU | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career | 6 | 6 | 2–4 | 126 | 217 | 58.1 | 1,357 | 6.3 | 76 | 7 | 7 | 73.8 | 18 | 88 | 4.9 | 14 | 1 | 10 | 69 | 6 | 1 | |
UFL Career Stats
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | ||
| 2010 | Omaha | 8 | 8 | 132 | 255 | 51.8 | 1,321 | 5.2 | 48 | 9 | 11 | 60.6 | 24 | 68 | 2.8 | 14 | 0 |
| Career | 8 | 8 | 132 | 255 | 51.8 | 1,321 | 5.2 | 48 | 9 | 11 | 60.6 | 24 | 68 | 2.8 | 14 | 0 | |
Life After Playing Football
In May 2012, Garcia joined the advisory board for a new version of the United States Football League (USFL). In August 2014, he was hired by the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL as an offensive consultant. A few days later, he became their quarterbacks coach. In May 2015, the St. Louis Rams hired Garcia as an offensive assistant for one season. Garcia enjoys helping other quarterbacks improve their skills. He has worked with players like Matt McGloin, Mark Sanchez, and Tyrod Taylor. Garcia has also shown interest in helping Colin Kaepernick.
As of December 2024, Garcia is the offensive coordinator for Mira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego, California.
Personal Life and Family
Jeff Garcia is one of seven children born to Bob and Linda Garcia. His father was a football coach and athletic director at Gavilan College. Jeff's family faced sadness early on. Two of his sisters, who were twins, passed away before he was born. His younger brother Jason drowned in 1977 when Jeff was seven. Fourteen months later, his younger sister Kimberly died after an accident. His two surviving sisters are Jene and Melissa. Garcia has said that he is very driven because he wants to make his parents happy after these losses.
His grandfather, Maurice "Red" Elder, was a football star at Kansas State University in the 1930s. Both Jeff and his grandfather played in the East–West Shrine Game during college. They are the only grandfather-grandson pair to do so. Elder was also a longtime coach at Gilroy High School. Garcia donated money to fix up the athletic field at the school. In 2005, the field was renamed Garcia-Elder Field to honor both of them.
Garcia has Mexican, German, and Irish heritage. He has also done charity work to support the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. On April 21, 2007, Garcia married Carmella DeCesare. They have four children.
Charity Work
Garcia and Carmella DeCesare started the Garcia Pass It On Foundation. This foundation aimed to help people who were less fortunate. The Foundation is no longer active.
