Jeff Garcia: The Incredible Underdog the NFL Forgot! (Part 2)
Left to pick himself up after the bitter disappointment, Garcia was too strong to give up there. He traveled a common road for undrafted players trying to make it into the league. He took the hike up to the Great North to play in the CFL. He signed with the Calgary Stampeders. Only Garcia knew how humbling it was to be named the 3rd stringer on a CFL team after being an NFL hopeful. Though to be fair to him, the starter was a future Pro Bowler himself, plus a Heisman Trophy winner and the greatest CFL player ever, Doug Flutie.
For a Few Years, Garcia Learned Behind Flutie
With Mr. Flutie showing Jeff Garcia the blueprint on how to be an awesome quarterback, the Cali man was impatiently waiting for his time to shine in the Canadian spotlight. His rookie year, after showing off his skills when he threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns in his exhibition game appearance, he was rightfully moved from 3rd to 2nd string. His opportunity came from tragedy, however.
Flutie’s Injury Gave Garcia a Chance To Shine
Garcia wasted no time making his impact. In his second start, he would make his mark on the Stampeders’ history when he shattered the team record for most passing yards in a game with a 546-yard effort along with 6 touchdowns during a Labor Day victory over Edmonton. He wasn’t a one-game wonder either. He created a QB controversy with Flutie, but Flutie kept his starting job and led the Stampeders to a Grey Cup Final they lost.
Flutie Left Town, Giving Garcia the Starting Job
Garcia lived up to the hype. He surprised nobody when his 3,358 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns made him a CFL All-Star for the first time, but not the last time. His best season in the CFL was 1997. He even won the award for the Canadian Football League West Division’s most outstanding player.
It is one of the most oddly specific awards I’ve ever heard of, but I’m sure he was proud to win it regardless. It was deserved with his 4,573 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns. He was a dual threat with 727 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. He ended his CFL career on a high.
The Quarterback Continued Succeeding In the CFL
Garcia even led the CFL in passing touchdowns. This time, it would pay off as Garcia led the Calgary Stampeders to a Grey Cup Final. To say all he had was a good game in the Grey Cup would be a heck of an understatement. He showed off his legs with his only touchdown being a 1-yard rushing touchdown. But that’s fine. He did the most important job, which was marching the Stampeders down the field time and time again, leading Calgary on four different drives that ended in a field goal.
He had a chance to show off his clutch gene, leading an 80-yard, game-ending drive to set up the game-winning field goal on the last play of the game. It was a perfect way to leave the Great North behind. It even earned him a spot on the Stampeders Wall of Fame.
Thanks a bunch for reading. Stay tuned for the next part of the Jeff Garcia story.
