History of Jeff Garcia in Timeline
Jeffrey Garcia is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at San Jose State University after attending high school and junior college in Gilroy, California. Garcia went on to play professionally in the National Football League (NFL).
February 24, 1970: Jeff Garcia's Birth
On February 24, 1970, Jeffrey Jason Garcia was born. He later became a professional football player as a quarterback in the NFL.
1977: Brother's Death
In 1977, when Jeff Garcia was seven years old, his younger brother Jason drowned on a family camping trip.
1988: Graduation from Gilroy
In 1988, Jeff Garcia graduated from Gilroy High School.
1989: Starting Quarterback at Gavilan College
In 1989, Garcia was the starting quarterback at Gavilan College, passing for 2,038 yards and 18 touchdowns.
1990: Transferred to San Jose State
In 1990, Garcia transferred to San Jose State University and redshirted his first year.
1991: Starting QB at San Jose State
In 1991, Jeff Garcia became the starting quarterback at San Jose State University, achieving a 61.9% completion rate.
1992: UPI All-America honors
In 1992, during his junior season, Garcia earned UPI All-America honors while at San Jose State University.
1993: Starting QB at San Jose State
In 1993, Jeff Garcia continued as the starting quarterback at San Jose State University, where he passed for 2,608 yards.
1994: Joined Calgary Stampeders
In 1994, Jeff Garcia began his professional career with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as an undrafted free agent.
1994: Started Career with Calgary Stampeders
In 1994, Jeff Garcia started his professional career with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
1995: Took over as starter
In 1995, Garcia took over as starter for the Calgary Stampeders, and set a team record with 546 passing yards.
1996: Starting Quarterback for the Stampeders
In 1996, Garcia became the Stampeders' starting quarterback after Flutie signed with the Toronto Argonauts.
1996: Led the Stampeders to the Western Final
In 1996, Garcia led the Calgary Stampeders to the Western Final.
1997: Won Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
In 1997, Garcia won the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL Western Division. He also led the Stampeders to the Western Semi-Final.
1997: Last time 49ers won NFC West
Prior to 2002, 1997 was the last time the 49ers had won the NFC West.
1998: Grey Cup Victory and MVP
In 1998, Garcia led the Calgary Stampeders to a Grey Cup victory and was named Grey Cup MVP.
1999: NFL Debut with the 49ers
In 1999, Garcia debuted in the National Football League (NFL) with the San Francisco 49ers.
2000: Consecutive Thirty-Touchdown Passing Season
In 2000, Jeff Garcia had one of eighteen times quarterbacks in NFL history achieved two consecutive thirty-touchdown passing seasons.
2000: First Pro Bowl Appearance
In 2000, Jeff Garcia made his first Pro Bowl appearance as a player for the San Francisco 49ers.
2000: Starting QB and First Pro Bowl
In 2000, Jeff Garcia was the starting quarterback for the 49ers, setting a team record with 4,278 passing yards and making his first Pro Bowl appearance.
2001: Consecutive Thirty-Touchdown Passing Season
In 2001, Jeff Garcia had one of eighteen times quarterbacks in NFL history achieved two consecutive thirty-touchdown passing seasons.
2001: Playoff Appearance with the 49ers
In 2001, Jeff Garcia led the 49ers to their first playoff appearance in almost two years, throwing 32 touchdown passes.
2001: Pro Bowl and Playoffs with 49ers
In 2001, Jeff Garcia made another Pro Bowl appearance and led the San Francisco 49ers to the playoffs.
2002: 4-1 when McNabb was injured
Feeley had previously gone 4-1 in 2002 when McNabb was injured.
2002: Playoff Loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Following their 2002 playoff loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 49ers fired head coach Steve Mariucci.
2002: Won NFC West
In 2002, Garcia led the 49ers to their first NFC West title since 1997, with a division-clinching win against the Dallas Cowboys.
2002: Third Pro Bowl and Playoffs with 49ers
In 2002, Jeff Garcia made his third Pro Bowl appearance and led the San Francisco 49ers to the playoffs.
2002: Last Pro Bowl Appearance
In 2002, prior to 2006, Jeff Garcia last made it to the Pro Bowl. He would be named to his fourth Pro Bowl after the 2006 season.
January 5, 2003: Comeback Victory over the Giants
On January 5, 2003, Garcia led the 49ers to a historic comeback win over the New York Giants in the playoffs.
April 2003: Carmella DeCesare Miss April
In April 2003, Carmella DeCesare, who Jeff Garcia would marry later, was Playboy magazine's Miss April.
2003: 49ers struggles
Following his 2004 trade to Philadelphia, Owens began speaking out and criticizing Garcia for the 49ers' offensive struggles during the 2003 season.
2003: Released from the 49ers
Following the 2003 season, Jeff Garcia was released by the San Francisco 49ers.
2003: Lackluster Season with 49ers
In 2003, Garcia experienced a low point in his career with a lackluster season with San Francisco.
2003: Relationship with Terrell Owens soured
In 2003, Garcia's relationship with Terrell Owens soured after Owens publicly praised the backup quarterback Tim Rattay.
2003: Disappointing season for Garcia and the 49ers
The 2003 season was a disappointment for Garcia and the 49ers. Following their 2002 playoff loss, the 49ers fired head coach Steve Mariucci.
March 9, 2004: Signed with Cleveland Browns
On March 9, 2004, Jeff Garcia signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns.
2004: Owens began criticizing Garcia
Following his 2004 trade to Philadelphia, Owens began speaking out and criticizing Garcia for the 49ers' offensive struggles during the 2003 season.
2004: Carmella DeCesare Playmate of the Year
In 2004, Carmella DeCesare, who Jeff Garcia would marry later, was named Playboy's Playmate of the Year.
2004: Losing Season with Browns
In 2004, Garcia had a losing season with the Cleveland Browns.
March 12, 2005: Signed with Detroit Lions
On March 12, 2005, Garcia signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
2005: Losing Season with Lions
In 2005, Garcia had a losing season with the Detroit Lions.
2005: Garcia-Elder Field Renaming
In 2005, the athletic field at Gilroy High School was renamed Garcia-Elder Field to honor Jeff Garcia and his maternal grandfather, Maurice "Red" Elder.
March 15, 2006: Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles
On March 15, 2006, Jeff Garcia signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
November 19, 2006: Garcia enters game after McNabb injury
On November 19, 2006, Garcia entered the game after McNabb's season-ending knee injury. He was then named starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
2006: Playoffs with Eagles
In 2006, Garcia returned to form with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to the playoffs as a starter due to an injury to Donovan McNabb.
2006: Led Buccaneers to NFC South Title
In 2006, Jeff Garcia took over a Buccaneers team that had a 4-12 record and led them to win the NFC South division title. The Buccaneers lost to the New York Giants in the Wild Card Round, and Garcia was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.
January 7, 2007: Playoff Win over the Giants
On January 7, 2007, Garcia earned his second career playoff win, throwing for 153 yards in a 23–20 victory over the Giants.
January 13, 2007: Playoff Loss to the Saints
On January 13, 2007, Garcia and the Eagles lost to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 27–24.
March 3, 2007: Signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 3, 2007, Jeff Garcia signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
April 21, 2007: Married Carmella DeCesare
On April 21, 2007, Jeff Garcia married Carmella DeCesare at the CordeValle Resort in San Martin, California.
2007: Most Career Offensive Yards
As of 2007, Garcia held the record for the most career offensive yards (7,274) in San Jose State history.
2007: Playoffs and Pro Bowl with Buccaneers
In 2007, Garcia joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading them to the playoffs and making his fourth career Pro Bowl appearance.
2008: Injury and Quarterback Rotation
During the 2008 season opener, Jeff Garcia left the game due to injury, leading to a rotation between Garcia, Brian Griese, and Luke McCown. Despite passing for 310 yards in a victory against the Seattle Seahawks and surpassing 40,000 career yards combining both the CFL and NFL, the Buccaneers missed the playoffs and did not re-sign Garcia in the offseason.
2008: Starting QB for the Buccaneers
In 2008, Jeff Garcia was the starting quarterback for most of the games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
April 6, 2009: Signed with Oakland Raiders
On April 6, 2009, Jeff Garcia signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders, where Bruce Gradkowski changed his number to allow Garcia to wear number 7.
September 5, 2009: Released by the Raiders
On September 5, 2009, Jeff Garcia was released by the Oakland Raiders during final cuts.
September 14, 2009: Signed with the Eagles
On September 14, 2009, Jeff Garcia signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles after Donovan McNabb's injury.
2009: Returned to the Eagles
In 2009, Garcia returned to the Philadelphia Eagles and played only one game.
2010: Played for Omaha Nighthawks
In 2010, Garcia played for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.
2010: UFL Offensive Player of the Week
In 2010, Jeff Garcia, playing in the United Football League for the Omaha Nighthawks, received two offensive player of the week awards.
December 6, 2011: Signed with the Houston Texans
On December 6, 2011, Jeff Garcia signed with the Houston Texans after Matt Schaub's injury.
2011: Signed with Houston Texans
In 2011, Garcia signed with the Houston Texans but did not play a game with the team.
May 2012: Joined USFL Advisory Board
In May 2012, Jeff Garcia joined the advisory board for the revival of the United States Football League (USFL).
September 14, 2012: Inducted into Stampeders Wall of Fame
On September 14, 2012, Jeff Garcia was inducted into the Stampeders Wall of Fame.
August 2014: Hired by Montreal Alouettes
In August 2014, Jeff Garcia was hired as an offensive consultant and then named quarterbacks coach by the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.
May 2015: Hired by Los Angeles Rams
In May 2015, Jeff Garcia was hired as an offensive assistant by the Los Angeles Rams for one season.
2020: Divorce from Carmella DeCesare
In 2020, Jeff Garcia stated on his Instagram account that he and Carmella DeCesare were divorced.
2020: Buccaneers Return to Playoffs
The Buccaneers would not return to the playoffs again until the 2020 season, after Jeff Garcia led them to the playoffs in 2006.
