Jeff Garcia is one of many in a long line of playmakers who have that non-specific "It" factor. Whatever "It" might be is nebulous, but you know it when you see it.
All the great ones have it, from football stars to professional wrestlers. Speaking of which...
Garcia married former WWE Diva Search contestant Carmella DeCesare in 2007 amongst peers, Playboy Playmates, and Pro Bowlers before starting a family.
So have you ever heard the one about the NFL quarterback and the playmate? Pop some popcorn - this one's got drama.
Jeff Garcia's Football Career
Retired American football star Jeffrey Jason Garcia was born February 24, 1970, in Gilroy, California, while the No. 1 song was "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel.
Garcia was a multi-sport star at Gilroy High School but considered too small to play for the big boys. Chip, I'd like to introduce you to Jeff Garcia's shoulder.
Garcia was not highly recruited out of high school due to a broken arm and short legs. His father Bobby Garcia was a football coach at nearby Gavilan Junior College. Jeff joined Bobby and threw for 400 yards in one game.
After that performance and others like it, larger schools took notice.
Jeff transferred to San Jose State University in 1991 and proceeded to get touchdowns. His college stats were good, not great. If Garcia wanted a North American football career, he'd have to start a little further North. Undrafted by the No Fun League, Garcia decided to set touchdown records in Canada, instead.
Garcia stamped his passport in Calgary, Canada, with the Stampeders after college. As a rookie, he made the most of what few opportunities rushed by. His work ethic in the CFL earned him the starting QB position in '95.
Either he never got sacked as a Canadian football quarterback from 1994-1998, or they didn't keep those stats. Garcia is known for his mobility, but my guess is the latter. Whichever the case, Garcia performed well enough in Canada to book a ticket to California, the National Football League, and the San Francisco 49ers.
After an abysmal first run in The Bay, Garcia made Pro Bowl appearances in the next three seasons. The 49ers followed Garcia's lead and were good, not great. He mined touchdowns like gold, but failed to strike big in the playoffs.
Garcia said goodbye to The Bay Area after the 2003 season. He thenbecame an NFL journeyman, playing short stints for the following teams: the Cleveland Browns (yikes), the Detroit Lions (double yikes), the Philadelphia Eagles (triple yikes!), and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers (pre-Tom Brady... quadruple yikes!). Garcia won three division titles with three teams over his long career: San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay.
Following his time in Tampa, Garcia was signed to a series of brief deals with the likes of the Oakland Raiders and Philly, again. Both teams sent him scrambling.
In 2010, he joined the United Football League, a special league full of special teams. After one season with the Omaha Nighthawks (Nebraska's finest), Garcia returned to the NFL with the Houston Texans to back-up T.J. Yates. Garcia finished his playing career in Hot Houston on the practice squad in 2011.
Retired Garcia continues to work in football. Garcia worked as a Canadian football team consultant, a St. Louis Rams (pre-Los Angeles) quarterbacks coach, and as an advisor for the destined-to-fail-revival of the United States Football League (USFL).
He was nominated for the Hall of Fame in 2019. By then, Garcia had worn a ring for 12 years.
Who is Jeff Garcia's Wife?
RELATED: Glenn Cadrez Won 2 Super Bowls & Married a Playboy Playmate
Carmella DeCesare was born July 1, 1982, when the No. 1 song was "Don't You Want Me" by The Human League. The tune may have predicted her career.
DeCesare found success in modeling. She even landed a centerfold in Playboy. She was Playmate of the Month in April 2003 and won Playmate of the Year the following year. By then, her career was taking a turn toward stardom.
Is one born a diva, or does one become a diva? It's a classic chicken or the egg conundrum. With a last name that means "Of Ceasar", it's safe to assume Carmella was born with a complex.
Her diva status directed her to the WWE Diva Search in 2004. She didn't win the definitely-real competition, but she did learn how to fight. She used her new combat skills outside of the ring and got herself into trouble.
By 2004, Garcia thought DeCesare was a fair catch. Somehow, he was unsatisfied with having only one Playboy Playmate of the Year girlfriend.
The QB called an audible and emptied the pocket with another lady named Kristen Hine. The handoff turned-a-fumble when DeCesare heard about the interception.
DeCesare was soon found tackling Hine at an Ohio bar, behind bars shortly after, and guilty on charges of full-nelsoning Hine in a takedown. Hine was just happy the former WWE Diva Search contestant couldn't find a foldable chair.
If you're gonna commit a crime, at least be a dime.
Garcia was so impressed by DeCesare's red zone defense that he married her three years later.
Jeff & Carmella Garcia's Wedding & Kids
Jeff Garcia and Carmella DeCesare exchanged rings at the CordeValle Resort in California on April 21, 2007, on the one-hundred-eleventh day of the year.
Jeff reportedly invited former teammates to the wedding, although Terrell Owens was conspicuously absent. Garcia was probably still upset about T.O.'s offensive lines.
The Garcias had their first child a year later. Today, they have four children.
They have also worked together on the non-profit Garcia Pass It On Foundation.
It is unclear if Garcia and DeCesare are still married.
Jeff Garcia Net Worth
After a pretty exciting life full of stardom and four children, Jeff Garcia has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
