Jeff Garcia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jeff Garcia

Garcia with the Eagles in 2006
No. 5, 7, 9
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1970-02-24) February 24, 1970 (age 55) Gilroy, California, U.S.
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)
Undrafted:	1994
Career history
As player:
Calgary Stampeders (1994–1998) San Francisco 49ers (1999) Cleveland Browns (2004) Detroit Lions (2005) Philadelphia Eagles (2006) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007) Oakland Raiders (2009)* Philadelphia Eagles (2009) Omaha Nighthawks (2010) Houston Texans (2011)
As coach:
Montreal Alouettes (2014) Quarterbacks coach St. Louis Rams (2015) Offensive assistant
Career highlights and awards
4× Pro Bowl (2000–2002, 2007) NFL record Longest touchdown pass: 99 yards (tied) CFL Grey Cup champion (1998) Grey Cup MVP (1998) 4× West Division All-Star (1995–1998) Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy (1997)
Career NFL statistics
TD–INT: 161–83 Passing yards: 25,537 Passer rating: 87.5
Career CFL statistics
TD–INT: 111–52 Passing yards: 16,442 Passer rating: 94.9
Player stats at PFR

Jeffrey Jason Garcia (born February 24, 1970) is an American former professional football player. He was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Garcia went to high school and junior college in Gilroy, California. He then played college football at San Jose State University.

Garcia was a four-time CFL All-Star and a four-time NFL Pro Bowl player. He started his professional football career with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1994. In 1999, Garcia joined the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers, Garcia played in three Pro Bowl games (in 2000, 2001, and 2002). He also led the team to the playoffs in 2001 and 2002.

Later, Garcia played for the Cleveland Browns in 2004 and the Detroit Lions in 2005. With the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, Garcia played well. He filled in for an injured Donovan McNabb and led Philadelphia to the playoffs. Garcia then joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007. He was their starting quarterback for most of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He led Tampa Bay to the playoffs in 2007 and made his fourth Pro Bowl appearance.

After his time with Tampa, Garcia returned to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 for one game. In 2010, Garcia played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. In 2011, Garcia signed with the Houston Texans but did not play.

Jeff Garcia's Early Life and College Years

Growing Up in Gilroy

Garcia attended Gilroy High School in Gilroy, California. He was a top athlete in both football and basketball. As a senior, he was chosen for the Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game. He played as a defensive back in that game.

College Football Journey

After high school in 1988, Garcia went to Gavilan College. This was 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. After this great season, Garcia received honorable mention 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, Garcia completed 61.9% of his passes. He threw for 1,519 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 1992, he passed for 2,418 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 1993, he threw for 2,608 yards and 21 touchdowns. For his junior year in 1992, Garcia earned UPI All-America honors. As of 2007, Garcia held the record for most career offensive yards (7,274) at San Jose State.

Jeff Garcia's Professional Football Career

Garcia is one of only eighteen quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for thirty touchdowns in two years in a row. He did this in 2000 and 2001. He is also one of only thirteen quarterbacks to throw a 99-yard touchdown pass.

Starting in the CFL: Calgary Stampeders

Garcia was 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. Many thought he was too small for the NFL. So, he was not picked in the 1994 NFL draft. In 1994, Garcia began his professional career in Calgary. He joined the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. He earned a spot as the third-string quarterback. He later became the backup to Doug Flutie.

In 1995, Garcia became the starter when Flutie was injured. In his second start, Garcia set a team record. He threw for 546 passing yards and six touchdown passes. This happened in the Labour Day game against Edmonton. Garcia led the Stampeders to good records in his three years as starter. They finished 13–5, 10–8, and 12–6.

In 1997, Garcia won the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy. This award is for the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL Western Division. In 1998, he led the team to a Grey Cup victory. They beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Garcia was named Grey Cup MVP. He led an 80-yard drive to win the game with a field goal on the last play. Garcia was also named a 1998 CFL All-Star quarterback.

Garcia was added to the Stampeders Wall of Fame on September 14, 2012.

NFL Debut: San Francisco 49ers

After his Grey Cup win, Garcia signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup to Steve Young. Early in the 1999 season, Steve Young suffered an injury. Garcia stepped in and shared time with Steve Stenstrom. Garcia won his first NFL start against the Tennessee Titans, 24–22. He finished his first NFL season with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

2000 Season Highlights

In the 2000 season, Steve Young had retired. Garcia kept the starting quarterback job. 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 Success

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 the playoffs. They lost to Green Bay 25–15 in the first round.

2002 Season and Playoff Comeback

In 2002, Garcia's touchdown numbers dropped to 21. But the 49ers won the NFC West division. This was their first division title since 1997. The winning game came with a last-second touchdown pass to Terrell Owens against the Dallas Cowboys. Garcia threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes in that game.

On January 5, 2003, during the 2002–2003 playoffs, Garcia led the 49ers to a big comeback win. They beat the New York Giants. The Giants were up 38–14 in the third quarter. The 49ers scored 25 points without the Giants scoring. San Francisco took a 39–38 lead and won. This amazing win became a famous game in Garcia's 49er career. He threw for 331 yards, 3 touchdowns, and ran for 60 yards and 1 touchdown.

2003: Final Season with 49ers

The 2003 season was tough for Garcia and the 49ers. Injuries to key players affected the team. Garcia missed three games during the season. The 49ers finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs. After the 2003 season, Garcia was released by the team.

Cleveland Browns Experience

Garcia signed with the Cleveland Browns on March 9, 2004. He was released after the 2004 season. He had some injuries and struggled to play consistently. On October 17, Garcia tied the NFL record for the longest pass play. He threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to André Davis in a win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Detroit Lions Season

The Detroit Lions signed Garcia on March 12, 2005. He was going to play for his former San Francisco coach, Steve Mariucci. But Garcia broke his fibula in a preseason game. He started his first regular-season game for the Lions on October 23. They played against his old team, the Browns. Garcia led the Lions to a 13–10 victory. He completed 22 of 34 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown.

Philadelphia Eagles Comeback

Garcia gets set to take a snap against the Redskins on December 10, 2006.

On March 15, 2006, Garcia signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the main backup to Donovan McNabb for the 2006 season. McNabb got a season-ending knee injury on November 19, 2006. Garcia then became the starting quarterback.

Garcia led the Eagles to five wins in a row. This helped them win the NFC East division championship. He threw ten touchdowns and only two interceptions. His QB rating was 95.8 in eight games. He was even on the cover of Sports Illustrated. On January 7, 2007, Garcia won his second playoff game. He threw for 153 yards and one touchdown in a 23–20 win over the Giants. On January 13, 2007, Garcia and the Eagles lost to the New Orleans Saints 27–24. He threw for 240 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown to Donté Stallworth. This set a record for the longest passing touchdown in Eagles' playoff history.

The Eagles decided not to offer Garcia a new contract after the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Years

Garcia in the shotgun formation in Tampa Bay

Garcia signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 3, 2007. He was named the Buccaneers' starting quarterback for 2007. Garcia led the Buccaneers to the NFC South division title. They had only won 4 games in 2006. The Buccaneers lost to the New York Giants, 24–14, in the playoffs. Garcia was named to his fourth Pro Bowl that season.

In the 2008 season, Garcia left the first game due to injury. Tampa used different quarterbacks that year. Garcia passed for 310 yards in a win over the Seattle Seahawks. This meant he had over 40,000 career passing yards. This included his yards from both the CFL and NFL. The Buccaneers lost their last four games and missed the playoffs. They did not re-sign Garcia.

Later Career Teams

Garcia signed with the Oakland Raiders on April 6, 2009. He was expected to be a backup. But he was released on September 5, 2009.

The Eagles signed Garcia again on September 14, 2009. This was after their quarterback Donovan McNabb got injured. Garcia was released on September 29.

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 separate games.

On December 6, 2011, Garcia signed with the Houston Texans. This was after their starting quarterback Matt Schaub got injured. Garcia did not play a game with the team.

Career Statistics

CFL Career Statistics

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

UFL Career Statistics

Life After Playing Football

In May 2012, Garcia joined the advisory board for the United States Football League (USFL) revival. 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 Los Angeles Rams hired Garcia as an offensive assistant for one season.

Garcia has shown interest in helping other quarterbacks improve their skills. He has worked with players like Matt McGloin, Mark Sanchez, and Tyrod Taylor. Garcia has also said he would like to help Colin Kaepernick with his skills.

Jeff Garcia was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

Jeff Garcia's Personal Life

The tribute to Garcia at San Jose State University's football center

Garcia is one of seven children born to Bob and Linda Garcia. His father was a football coach and athletic director at Gavilan College. Garcia has said that he tries hard to make his parents happy.

His grandfather, Maurice "Red" Elder, was a football star at Kansas State University in the 1930s. Both Garcia and his grandfather played in the East–West Shrine Game in college. They are the only grandfather-grandson pair to do so. Elder was also a longtime coach at Gilroy High School. Garcia gave money to fix up the athletic field at the school. In 2005, the field was named Garcia-Elder Field to honor both of them.

Garcia has Mexican and Irish heritage. He has also done charity work to support the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Charity Work

Garcia and his former wife founded the Garcia Pass It On Foundation. This foundation aimed to help people in need. The Foundation is now closed.