Former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia revealed he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Garcia, 38, is using his announcement to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and to encourage others to seek medical attention if they notice anything unusual with their health.
“I wasn’t overly excited to share this news, but it is what it is,” Garcia wrote in his social media post. “We have a great team of doctors and staff who are confident we can beat this. That’s the only option.
“If there’s one lesson to be learned, get checked and don’t be afraid to visit the doctor’s office when you don’t feel 100%,” Garcia continued. “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!”
Garcia is one of only six quarterbacks in South Carolina history to have thrown for at least 3,000 yards in a single season. As the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback from 2008 to 2011, he finished his collegiate career with 7,597 passing yards and 47 touchdowns in 40 games.
One of Garcia’s most notable performances for the Gamecocks came in 2010, when he threw for 210 yards and led South Carolina to a historic victory over the then-No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. That season, under Garcia’s leadership, the Gamecocks posted a 9-3 record and made their first and only appearance in the SEC Championship Game, an achievement that remains a highlight in the program’s history.
