Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia announces cancer diagnosis
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Former South Carolina standout quarterback Stephen Garcia announced on social media on Wednesday that he’s been diagnosed with cancer.
The 38-year-old, who was a former 5-star recruit and played for the Gamecocks from 2008-11, made the announcement together with his family that he’s been diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Garcia also revealed that after spending recent time in the emergency room that he will be starting treatment immediately.
Garcia made the announcement in posts on Facebook and GoFundMe. There has been a GoFundMe page set up in support of Garcia’s recovery.
“Wasn’t overly excited to share this news but it is what it is,” Garcia wrote on Facebook in announcing the diagnosis. “We have a great team of doctors and staff that’s confident we can beat this! It’s the only option.”
Garcia was a dual-threat quarterback at South Carolina who starred under legendary head coach Steve Spurrier. He started 34 games during his career in Columbia, posting a 20-14 record. Garcia threw for 7,597 yards for the Gamecocks, firing 47 touchdown passes against 41 interceptions. He showed off his abilities with his legs, too, rushing for 777 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Currently working as a quarterback trainer in the Tampa, Fla., area, near where he grew up and starred in high school, Garcia has remained close to the South Carolina football program in recent years.
Garcia was not selected in the 2012 NFL Draft despite his standout career at South Carolina.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
