GILROY
– Gilroy’s most celebrated native son, San Francisco 49ers
quarterback Jeff Garcia, spent the night in Santa Clara County Jail
after being arrested by San Jose State University police early
Wednesday morning for drunk driving.
Police stopped Garcia at a San Carlos Street Jack in the Box and
subsequently booked the three-time Pro Bowl selection on suspicion
of driving under the influence of alcohol around 3:30 a.m. at the
main jail in downtown San Jose. Garcia was released this morning
about 9:30 a.m. He left the jail through a back door and made no
comment to the media.
GILROY – Gilroy’s most celebrated native son, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia, spent the night in Santa Clara County Jail after being arrested by San Jose State University police early Wednesday morning for drunk driving.
Police stopped Garcia at a San Carlos Street Jack in the Box and subsequently booked the three-time Pro Bowl selection on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol around 3:30 a.m. at the main jail in downtown San Jose. Garcia was released this morning about 9:30 a.m. He left the jail through a back door and made no comment to the media.
Jail spokesman Mark Cursi said booking officers at the jail described Garcia as “cooperative.” Cursi said he did not speak with the 33-year-old quarterback. Cursi said that he would be required to sign a written promise to appear in court prior to his release. In a mug shot taken by police, Garcia’s eyes appear tired and bloodshot.
Jeff’s father and former football coach at Gavilan College, Bob Garcia, said this morning that this was his son’s first DUI. He did not have any details about the arrest.
Reports say Garcia was arrested at 1:50 a.m. after police noticed his white SUV driving erratically. Police pulled over Garcia who drove into the Jack in the Box parking lot at Fourth and San Carlos streets. Garcia reportedly admitted to police he had been drinking.
Two females and a male were in the SUV with Garcia.
Garcia’s arrest made the front page today on the ESPN.com news page and virtually all Bay Area radio stations were discussing the arrest, some using humor to temper the surprise.
Bob Garcia said Linda Garcia, Jeff’s mother, spoke with their son Wednesday morning. Bob Garcia reported Jeff “was doing fine,” but Linda Garcia declined to comment.
Garcia had spent Tuesday evening at a San Jose Sharks hockey game, which typically lets out around 10:30 p.m. It is unknown where Garcia was between then and his arrest.
Garcia attended Gavilan College and San Jose State and lives in San Jose. He has been the 49ers’ starting quarterback since Steve Young retired after the 1999 season. He is coming off a difficult and injury-riddled 7-9 season.
Reaction around Gilroy was a mix of surprise and sadness. Garcia, the town’s most famous Gilroyan, enjoys a stellar reputation locally. Despite his star status, Garcia is often seen at Gilroy events from youth recitals to an annual Gilroy High Cioppino Feed fund raiser where proceeds go toward scholastic sports programs.
Gilroyan Jaqueline Naccarato, who said she attended Gilroy High School with Garcia, said she hopes the arrest has no effect on the quarterback’s career.
“I think it’s pretty sad. … I feel bad for his parents because they have to live with the humiliation,” she said. “I’ve known him since high school, and he never really drank that much.”
Other Gilroyans hope critics and fans can separate Garcia’s conduct off the field from his play on the gridiron.
“Obviously, Jeff Garcia has endured a lot of criticism, especially later in his brief career here in San Francisco,” said Mick Greco, who grew up in Gilroy and now works here. “And this will just be something else for people to talk about, but he has been successful for the 49ers.”
Garcia’s arrest adds unwelcome spice to the complicated 49ers off season. The team will be losing All-Pro and disgruntled wide receiver Terrell Owens to free agency. Some NFL insiders had been predicting the 49ers would build the Owens-less team around Garcia. Others say the team would be better off letting go of both star players and rebuilding with the draft and free agency.
Garcia, who began the season with back trouble, finished with 25 touchdowns and a mediocre 80.1 quarterback rating.
“It’s tough to say (whether the arrest will affect Garcia’s career) because in one breath, you say this is an off-the-field discretion,” Greco said. “Then again, it might be an opportunity for the 49ers to do some things they might have wanted to do anyway, but it’s not my place to say.”
Staff writer Lori Stuenkel contributed to this report.
