Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Eastern Illinois Panthers and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Garoppolo is best known for his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl LIV appearance and an NFC Championship Game in the 2019 NFL season.

Early life and college career

Born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, he attended Rolling Meadows High School, where he excelled in football and basketball. Garoppolo committed to play college football at Eastern Illinois University, following in the footsteps of notable alumnus Tony Romo. As a starter for the Eastern Illinois Panthers, he set numerous school and conference records, earning the prestigious Walter Payton Award in 2013 as the top offensive player in the NCAA Division I FCS. His prolific college career, which included being named the OVC Offensive Player of the Year and a First-team All-American, solidified his status as a top NFL Draft prospect.

Professional career

Selected 62nd overall by the New England Patriots, he served as the primary backup to future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Garoppolo saw his first extended action during the 2016 NFL season due to Brady's Deflategate suspension, winning his first two starts before an injury. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2017 NFL season and quickly became the starter, leading the team to five consecutive victories to end the year. Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, he signed a then-record contract and led the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. After injuries and the emergence of Trey Lance, he was released and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, but was suspended for violating the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy. He joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2024.

Playing style and legacy

Known for his quick release, accuracy, and poise in the play-action passing game, his style was well-suited for Kyle Shanahan's offensive system. His leadership was credited with revitalizing the San Francisco 49ers franchise, transforming them from a last-place team into immediate Super Bowl contenders. While injuries often limited his availability, his career winning percentage as a starter remains among the highest for quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era, cementing a legacy as a highly effective game manager and leader.

Personal life

He is of Italian descent and has been involved in various charitable endeavors, including work with the 49ers Foundation. Garoppolo has also made several appearances in television and film, including a cameo on the show The League and in the movie The King of Staten Island. His personal life has occasionally been featured in media outlets like People magazine.

NFL career statistics

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Year ! Team ! Games ! Passing !- | 2014 | New England Patriots | 6 | 19–27, 182 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT |- | 2015 | New England Patriots | 5 | 1–4, 6 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT |- | 2016 | New England Patriots | 6 | 63–94, 502 YDS, 4 TD, 0 INT |- | 2017 | New England Patriots
San Francisco 49ers | 6 | 120–178, 1,560 YDS, 7 TD, 5 INT |- | 2018 | San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 53–89, 718 YDS, 5 TD, 3 INT |- | 2019 | San Francisco 49ers | 16 | 329–476, 3,978 YDS, 27 TD, 13 INT |- | 2020 | San Francisco 49ers | 6 | 94–140, 1,096 YDS, 7 TD, 5 INT |- | 2021 | San Francisco 49ers | 15 | 301–441, 3,810 YDS, 20 TD, 12 INT |- | 2022 | San Francisco 49ers | 11 | 207–308, 2,437 YDS, 16 TD, 4 INT |- | 2023 | Las Vegas Raiders | 7 | 110–169, 1,205 YDS, 7 TD, 9 INT |- ! Career ! ! 81 ! 1,297–1,926, 15,494 YDS, 94 TD, 51 INT |}

Category:American football quarterbacks Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Living people