Top 25 players in AFL history: No. 3 Aaron Garcia
Friday August 3, 2012
CHICAGO – Continuing its countdown of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History, the Silver Anniversary Committee has announced its selection for the 3rd Greatest Player in AFL History: Aaron Garcia.
After breaking John Elway’s California state high school records for passing yards and touchdowns in just two seasons of prep ball, Garcia took his talents to Washington State University and became the starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman in 1989. Garcia led the Pac-10 in passing efficiency in his first year under center, but was benched midway through the 1990 season in favor of true freshman Drew Bledsoe. The decision pushed Garcia to transfer back home to Division I-AA Sacramento State.
Garcia went undrafted at the conclusion of his college career, but was given a tryout with the AFL’s Arizona Rattlers in 1995. Impressed with Garcia’s quick feet and accuracy with the football, Arizona Head Coach Danny White signed him to a contract. In his first season at the helm, Garcia looked solid, passing for 2,416 yards and 43 touchdowns.
When All-Arena quarterback Kurt Warner left the Iowa Barnstormers for the NFL following the 1997 season, Iowa Head Coach John Gregory was in need of a quarterback and believed Garcia was the man for the job. His breakout season under Gregory came in 2001, when the Barnstormers relocated to New York and became the “Dragons”. That year, Garcia passed for 4,515 yards and a then-League record 104 touchdowns en route to being named the League’s Offensive Player of the Year.
The San Francisco 49ers took notice of Garcia’s impressive play and gave him a shot at making the roster after his record-breaking season. The stint was short-lived, however. Garcia returned to the AFL in 2002 and continued to cement his legacy as one of the game’s finest passers, earning the number 11 spot on the AFL Historical Committee’s list of the 20 Greatest Players in AFL History in 2006.
Like a fine wine, Garcia appeared to get even better with age. In 2011, he earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year honors after passing for 4,933 yards and 116 touchdowns and leading the Jacksonville Sharks to a 14-4 record and a victory in what was voted the 4th Greatest Game in AFL History, ArenaBowl XXIV. With two seconds left on the clock, Garcia and the Sharks lined up on the Arizona Rattlers’ 10-yard line. Dodging a sack, Garcia threw a pass in the end zone to wide receiver Jeron Harvey for a 73-70 win and Garcia’s first career championship. He also passed for an ArenaBowl-record 402 yards in the game.
The three-time First-Team All-Arena selection returned for his AFL-record 17th season in 2012, taking over quarterbacking duties for the expansion-San Antonio Talons. Garcia led the Talons to a Central Division championship, while passing for career-highs with 4,985 yards and 118 touchdowns.
After 17 seasons in the League, Garcia owns every major career passing record, including completions (4,436), attempts (6,845), yards (55,013), touchdowns (1,196) and interceptions (183). He also holds the record for most regular season games played with 209 and with 15 postseason games to his name, Garcia ranks second only to Barry Wagner in total games played (225). In 2011, Garcia became the first passer in pro football history to record 1,000 touchdown passes in a career. After achieving the feat, his jersey and football were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio to be put on display.
The order of the Silver Anniversary Committee’s two Greatest Players in AFL History will be announced at AVITAE ArenaBowl XXV in New Orleans on August 10.
25 Greatest Players in AFL History
3. Aaron Garcia
4. Jay Gruden
5. Hunkie Cooper
6. George LaFrance
7. Sherdrick Bonner
9. Sam Hernandez
10. Damian Harrell
11. Sylvester Bembery
12. Stevie Thomas
13. Kenny McEntyre
14. John Corker
15. Dwayne Dixon
16. Kurt Warner
17. Bob McMillen
18. Mark Grieb
19. Darryl Hammond
20. Alvin Rettig
22. Chris Jackson
23. Ben Bennett
24. Clevan Thomas
25. Gary Mullen