Roberto Garza (born March 26, 1979) is a former American footballcenter. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft, and in 2005, joined the Chicago Bears, spending ten seasons with the team. Despite being an offensive lineman, a position not typically glorified in American football, Garza was a fan favorite among Hispanic Americans across the United States.[1]
Garza attended Rio Hondo High School in Rio Hondo, Texas and was a letterman in football and track and field. He was also a member of the school's National Honor Society.
Post-high school
The son of Roberto Garza Sr., and Ofelia Garza from Mexico, Garza was encouraged to join the Marines after high school. A Marine recruiter interested in Garza ridiculed his desire to play professional football, allegedly stating that "Mexicans do not play in the NFL". Roberto was not discouraged. He kept on working. He ended up playing for the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelinas as a "walk-on". In addition to playing football, Roberto worked to pay for school. Garza's hometown of Rio Hondo, Texas established December 2 as "Roberto Garza, Jr. Day", and subsequently named a street after him. He is fluent in Spanish.
Professional career
He was originally selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 99th overall pick of 2001 NFL Draft from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Garza played with the Falcons up until the 2004 season when his contract was up. He signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears in 2005, after also visiting the Baltimore Ravens,[2] and he signed a six-year contract extension in 2006. In that season, the Bears reached a 39–14 victory over the New Orleans Saints, which allowed them to claim the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XLI.[3] However, they fell short of the championship, losing 29–17 to the Indianapolis Colts. Among the almost 1,700 National Football League players in the 2006 season, Garza was one of only 19 Hispanics.[4] Garza became a free agent after the 2013 season, but was resigned to a 1-year contract on February 27, 2014.[5]
On April 2, 2015, Garza was released by the Bears, ending a ten-year tenure.[6]
Garza is a supporter and member of the United Way, a group of charitable organizations dedicated to helping less fortunate children and the elderly. In 2006, Garza was named the Chicago Bears' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. He has previously worked with the Empty Stocking Fund, the Atlanta Falcons' Feed The Homeless Campaign, and the Hall County Boys & Girls Club. He also supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago.
References
^"Garza represents the growing impact of NFL on Hispanic community". NFL.com.
^"Garza represents growing impact of NFL on Hispanic community". NFL.com.
^. Superbowl.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
^Perfection punched senseless - Los Angeles Times[dead link]
^Smith, Michael David (February 27, 2014). "Bears sign Roberto Garza to one-year contract". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
^Mayer, Larry (April 2, 2015). . Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
^"Random Topics for Today". pastapadre.com. August 4, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
^. Chicago Bears. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
^Mayer, Larry (February 1, 2014). "Garza to be part of historic broadcast". Chicago Bears. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
^. Chicago Bears. February 8, 2016. Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
External links
Official Chicago Bears bio
January 07, 2023
roberto, garza, born, march, 1979, former, american, football, center, drafted, atlanta, falcons, fourth, round, 99th, overall, 2001, draft, 2005, joined, chicago, bears, spending, seasons, with, team, despite, being, offensive, lineman, position, typically, g. Roberto Garza born March 26 1979 is a former American football center He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round 99th overall of the 2001 NFL Draft and in 2005 joined the Chicago Bears spending ten seasons with the team Despite being an offensive lineman a position not typically glorified in American football Garza was a fan favorite among Hispanic Americans across the United States 1 Roberto GarzaGarza with the Chicago Bears in 2008No 63Position Center GuardPersonal informationBorn 1979 03 26 March 26 1979 age 43 Rio Hondo TexasHeight 6 ft 2 in 1 88 m Weight 310 lb 141 kg Career informationHigh school Rio Hondo TX College Texas A amp M KingsvilleNFL Draft 2001 Round 4 Pick 99Career historyAtlanta Falcons 2001 2004 Chicago Bears 2005 2014 Career NFL statisticsGames Played 206Games Started 176Fumbles Recovered 3Player stats at NFL com Contents 1 High school years 2 Post high school 3 Professional career 4 In the media 5 Charitable work 6 References 7 External linksHigh school years EditGarza attended Rio Hondo High School in Rio Hondo Texas and was a letterman in football and track and field He was also a member of the school s National Honor Society Post high school EditThe son of Roberto Garza Sr and Ofelia Garza from Mexico Garza was encouraged to join the Marines after high school A Marine recruiter interested in Garza ridiculed his desire to play professional football allegedly stating that Mexicans do not play in the NFL Roberto was not discouraged He kept on working He ended up playing for the Texas A amp M University Kingsville Javelinas as a walk on In addition to playing football Roberto worked to pay for school Garza s hometown of Rio Hondo Texas established December 2 as Roberto Garza Jr Day and subsequently named a street after him He is fluent in Spanish Professional career EditHe was originally selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 99th overall pick of 2001 NFL Draft from Texas A amp M University Kingsville Garza played with the Falcons up until the 2004 season when his contract was up He signed a one year contract with the Chicago Bears in 2005 after also visiting the Baltimore Ravens 2 and he signed a six year contract extension in 2006 In that season the Bears reached a 39 14 victory over the New Orleans Saints which allowed them to claim the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XLI 3 However they fell short of the championship losing 29 17 to the Indianapolis Colts Among the almost 1 700 National Football League players in the 2006 season Garza was one of only 19 Hispanics 4 Garza became a free agent after the 2013 season but was resigned to a 1 year contract on February 27 2014 5 On April 2 2015 Garza was released by the Bears ending a ten year tenure 6 In the media EditHe was chosen to be the cover athlete of the Spanish version of Madden 09 En Espanol 7 In 2012 Garza along with teammate and defensive end Henry Melton were named to the USA Today 2012 All Joe Team 8 He also served as sideline reporter for Fox Deportes broadcast of Super Bowl XLVIII 9 Garza later served as a commentator for ESPN Deportes broadcast of Super Bowl 50 10 He was also featured in a Modelo Beer commercial alongside fellow former Hispanic football players Tony Gonzalez and Anthony Munoz Charitable work EditGarza is a supporter and member of the United Way a group of charitable organizations dedicated to helping less fortunate children and the elderly In 2006 Garza was named the Chicago Bears nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award He has previously worked with the Empty Stocking Fund the Atlanta Falcons Feed The Homeless Campaign and the Hall County Boys amp Girls Club He also supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago References Edit Garza represents the growing impact of NFL on Hispanic community NFL com Garza represents growing impact of NFL on Hispanic community NFL com GameCenter Recap Superbowl com Superbowl com Archived from the original on January 25 2007 Retrieved January 21 2007 Perfection punched senseless Los Angeles Times dead link Smith Michael David February 27 2014 Bears sign Roberto Garza to one year contract Profootballtalk com Retrieved February 27 2014 Mayer Larry April 2 2015 Bears release Garza sign Montgomery Chicago Bears Archived from the original on April 6 2015 Retrieved April 7 2015 Random Topics for Today pastapadre com August 4 2008 Retrieved August 4 2012 Garza Melton land on All Joe team Chicago Bears February 9 2012 Archived from the original on April 3 2013 Retrieved October 16 2012 Mayer Larry February 1 2014 Garza to be part of historic broadcast Chicago Bears Retrieved February 1 2014 Gould celebrates his brother s title win Chicago Bears February 8 2016 Archived from the original on February 9 2016 Retrieved February 9 2016 External links EditOfficial website Official Chicago Bears bio Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roberto Garza amp oldid 1095790080, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
