Former South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. The 38-year-old shared the news on social media and urged others to see a doctor if something feels wrong. Garcia’s wife, Maria, has also launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses, with the fundraiser already bringing in more than $127,000.
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Per CBS Sports, Garcia posted the following message via his Instagram story.
“Wasn’t overly excited to share this news but it is what it is. We have a great team of doctors and staff that’s confident we can beat this! It’s the only option.
If there’s one lesson to be learned, get checked and don’t be afraid to visit the doctors office when you don’t feel 100%. The stuff we consume has been altered significantly over the years and we’ve been hearing more and more people in this age range are getting diagnosed with these things.
We got this and I appreciate all yall!”
Stephen Garcia was one of the top quarterbacks in South Carolina Gamecocks football history, playing for coach Steve Spurrier from 2008 to 2011. During his college career, Garcia threw for 7,597 yards and 47 touchdowns while also rushing for 15 scores
One of the biggest moments of his career came in 2010, when he helped South Carolina upset then-No. 1 Alabama during a 9-3 season that led to the school’s only SEC Championship Game appearance.
Garcia was dismissed from the team during his senior season in 2011 following a failed drug test and other off-field issues.
After college, he briefly played in the CFL and AFL before becoming a private quarterback coach in the Tampa area, per CBS Sports.
According to his GoFundMe, Stephen Garcia was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer after several days in the hospital undergoing extensive testing, including MRIs and CT scans. He has now started chemotherapy using the aggressive FOLFIRINOX treatment plan and is expected to meet with liver and colon specialists to discuss the next phase of his care.
The fundraiser says Garcia is fully focused on fighting the disease and thanked supporters for their messages and donations during the difficult time. It also urged people to stay on top of regular screenings and colonoscopies, noting that colorectal cancer can often develop silently in its early stages.
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