Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer
Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, he announced on social media Wednesday.
Garcia encouraged everyone to seek medical attention if they feel something is wrong. His wife, Maria, created a GoFundMe for medical expenses, and the campaign has already raised more than $14,000 with a goal of $35,000.
I wasn’t very excited to share this news, but it is what it is. We have a great team of doctors and staff who are confident we can beat this! It’s the only option.
If there is a lesson to be learned, get checked out and don’t be afraid to go to the doctor when you don’t feel 100%. The things we consume have changed dramatically over the years and we’re hearing more and more people in this age range are being diagnosed with these things.
We got it and I thank you all!
One of the most prolific passers in South Carolina history, Garcia played for the Gamecocks under coach Steve Spurrier from 2008 to 2011. During that span, he racked up 7,597 passing yards (third in school history), 47 touchdowns (fifth in school history) and 41 interceptions while adding 777 yards rushing and 15 floor scores.
One of Garcia’s major accomplishments at South Carolina came in 2010 when he threw for 210 yards while leading the Gamecocks to an upset of then-No. 1Alabama. The victory was part of a 9-3 season that included a berth to the SEC championship game, the first and only in school history.
The following year, South Carolina fired Garcia during his senior season, a decision that followed a failed drug test and several other off-field incidents.
After his college career, Garcia had brief stints in the CFL and AFL, and he currently works as a personal quarterback coach in the Tampa area.
