Garcia, Parry share spotlight at SJSU
SAN JOSE – Jeff Garcia – a model of hard work – stood next to Neil Parry – a model of determination – on the sidelines of San Jose State’s football game against Nevada, both waiting for their special moment.
Garcia returned to his alma mater for a halftime ceremony announcing this year’s eight inductees into the Spartans’ Hall of Fame, while Parry – who wears a prosthesis – was anxiously anticipating his first action since suffering a compound fracture of his right leg three years ago.
“He’s just anxious to get back on the football field and he hasn’t had an opportunity yet,” said Garcia of Parry. “He’s just a tremendous spirit in the sense of what he’s accomplished, what he’s achieved coming back after such a brutal injury and to do what he’s doing today is just awesome.”
With San Jose State unable to stop the Nevada offense in the first half for Parry to take the field with the punt return unit, Garcia’s moment came first as he stood at mid-field with seven other honorees – including Morgan Hill resident Lee Walton, who coached the Spartans water polo team to a national championship in 1968.
“It’s awesome. Anytime you get recognized by anybody it’s a great feeling, but to be recognized by my university, San Jose State University, is just a tremendous feeling,” Garcia said. “It’s great to see that what I accomplished here has been recognized and it’s just very humbling in so many ways.”
Garcia, now a three-time Pro Bowler for the San Francisco 49ers, quarterbacked the Spartans from 1991 through 1993. The 1992 All-American honorable mention holds the San Jose State’s career record for total offense.
“It’s just very much appreciated and I’m thankful that my family and friends could be here to share this with me due to the fact that I grew up just 30 miles away,” Garcia said. “It’s just a tremendous honor.”
The garlic slinger and Spartan great is revered most for what he did in the East-West Shrine Game after his senior season. Coming into the game in the fourth quarter, Garcia scored three touchdowns and ran in the two-point conversion to clinch a 29-28 victory.
“That was a thing of beauty,” said former Spartans’ head coach John Ralston, now the school’s radio voice who coached Garcia during the 1993 season. “He shoulda been in (the Hall of Fame) when he came out of Canada… He’s a great performer. We’re very, very proud of him. Everything he gets he deserves because he’s just a hard working guy.”
Parry’s special moment did not come until the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 42-30 home loss to Nevada. After more than 20 surgeries and countless hours of rehab, Parry stepped onto the field and lined up at left tackle on the punt return team. He held up his man at the line and then hustled down field. It was the only chance he got to get into the game.
“He’s a true champion,” said Garcia of the Spartans’ junior gridmen.
Garcia and Parry both had their families and friends as well as the entire San Jose State student body in attendance to share in their special moments.
Brownell Academy Athletic Director Jeff Ross, of Gilroy, hasn’t missed many of Garcia’s special moments. He was at Stanford for the East-West Shrine Game where Garcia sparkled and he was there last night to see the pride of Gilroy get his induction nod.
“Jeff’s a great guy,” said Ross, wearing his Jeff Garcia #5 shirt and 49ers’ cap. “The guy deserves everything he gets.”
