To hear Sharks QB Aaron Garcia called a champion would have nice ring to it for teammates

PHOENIX - Even back in the first few days of training camp in March, there was a quiet sense of urgency for the Jacksonville Sharks to win tonight's ArenaBowl championship game.

Players talked, many wondering how many years, if not throws, quarterback Aaron Garcia, 40, had left. They know he's already regarded as the greatest quarterback in Arena Football League history, throwing for more completions, yards and touchdowns than anyone else during a 17-year career.

All that was missing is a championship ring.

"If this is his last game, we want to send him out on top," Sharks receiver Jeron Harvey said.

Despite Garcia's stunning success - he's thrown for nearly 28 1/2 miles in his career - Garcia has never won a championship.

Tonight's game against the Arizona Rattlers (18-2) will be his first ArenaBowl.

He remained focused on the particulars of tonight's game at sold-out US Airways Center more than his future after the game.

His successor as the best passer in the league, Arizona's Nick Davila, sat six feet away during ArenaBowl media day, both answering questions about the league - Garcia on the past and Davila on the future.

Everyone in the room, however, understood the significance of the moment because tonight's game could signal the changing of the guard in the AFL, especially if Jacksonville (16-4) wins.

"I've asked him about being a coach next year, and he always asks, 'Why is everyone trying to retire me?' I can say he's never said anything one way or another, but if he won a ring, what else can he accomplish?" Sharks owner Jeff Bouchy said.

Garcia's teammates understand that, too.

"This means everything to him," receiver Jomo Wilson said. "To have the career he's had and to not have that trophy, that's tough. He means a lot to all of us. I feel like he can still play. But we want to give him his ring now - just in case."

Garcia has never played better than this season. He had career-highs in completions, yards and touchdowns this season. Including the playoffs, he's thrown for 5,395 yards.

Davila has thrown for 5,366. Both have 128 touchdowns.

"As long as I have more yards," Garcia said with a smile.

Davila was 9 when Garcia started his AFL career. Both are Mexican-Americans, so there will be a special connection between the two long after they quit playing.

"I've watched him so much over the years," Davila said. "He's had a storybook career. I've asked him 100 questions over the years. It's tough not having a inferiority complex about going up against a legend, going up against a guy who's done so many great things.

"But this is football. He wants a ring. I want a ring. The best quarterback's going to win."

Both teams were at the final public gathering before tonight's game, but Garcia was at center stage.

Most of the questions from the Arizona media were directed at the league's first-team quarterback.

"This really is all about him," Harvey said. "We play this game because we love it. He's here because he wants that ring. We've talked about that since we got to training camp. Our goal all year has been to get Aaron his ring.

"The thing is, he's just as excited to get us one as we are to get him one."

"I want to win a ring, no doubt," Garcia said. "But I want to win one for coach [Les Moss] and my teammates - and the city of Jacksonville. I really believe this is my best chance yet."

When it was his turn to face questions, Garcia offered some curious answers.

He reminded the younger players in the room it was up to them to continue the tradition in the AFL and up to them to make the game even better. It almost sounded like a Hall of Fame induction speech rather than insight into the championship game.

Garcia played his first AFL game with the Rattlers in 1995.

"There's a very good chance I'll end my career in Jacksonville," Garcia said.

But when?

"No, I haven't made up my mind," he said. "The reason I came back this year was to help these guys. I would hate it if my kids grow up and not realize what a great sport this is."

Garcia's jersey and helmet already are on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

The hall asked for the artifacts after he surpassed the 1,000-touchdown mark.

Harvey and Wilson are part of a four-pronged receiving corps for Jacksonville.

Along with Jeff Hughley and Jamarko Simmons, Garcia has plenty of options.

"None of us know what he's going to do," Harvey said. "But no matter what, we want him to have a ring when he makes that decision. That's what we've worked for since training camp.

"He deserves to go out on top."

Someday.