Jeff Garcia: The Incredible Underdog the NFL Forgot! (Part 8)

Garcia wore the #7 he wore with the Eagles as a member of the Buccaneers. He made it a symbol of his career revival and his determination and grit. Under Garcia’s excellent leadership, they went from 4-12 to NFC South division champions under Garcia’s 13 starts. With his 2,440 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns to 4 interceptions, Garcia earned another trip back to Hawaii after a five-year hiatus from the Pro Bowl.

In his return to the playoffs, he threw 2 interceptions and went on to lose 24-14 to the New York Giants, who went on to win that year’s Super Bowl. It was the third time in his career that he lost to a team in the playoffs that went on to the Super Bowl.

His 2008 Didn’t Go Nearly As Well

With Garcia suffering another early season injury, the Bucs used a quarterback-by-committee approach. This caused the Bucs to miss the playoffs. Tampa Bay then turned to rookie QB Josh Freeman to start a new era in Tampa Bay. With other QBs like Luke McCown and Brian Griese, plus team legends like Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, Garcia was cut alongside all of them.

“Father Time” Came Calling

Garcia’s NFL career would fade to black, roll credits. He returned to Philly to play a few downs at the start of the decade. He would spend a year in Omaha to play in the UFL, of all leagues. He ended his pro football career after being signed by the Texans as a backup to T.J. Yates after Matt Schaub got injured. If I were a Pro Bowl QB hired to be a backup to Yates, I would retire, too.

Post-Football Career

Garcia had a brief coaching tenure with the Montreal Alouettes and St. Louis Rams and is currently the offensive coordinator of Mira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego. He has continued his charity efforts with the Pass It On Foundation, started by him and DeCesare Garcia. Sadly, it did have to close. He also runs his football camp now with the help of PlayyOn.

Thanks a bunch for reading. Especially if you read the full story!