October 11, 2011

Gamecocks Finally Show Garcia the Door

By - Kris Fletcher

After a long history of suspensions and off-field problems, a failed substance test has officially brought the Stephen Garcia era at South Carolina to an end.

Photo by: Getty Images
The senior quarterback had reportedly been on his last disciplinary strike ever since a March incident at a team function resulted in his suspension from spring practice.

Gamecocks athletic director Erik Hyman issued a statement today that Garcia has been dismissed from the Carolina football program effective immediately.

"Being a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina is a privilege, not a right," said Hyman. "For Stephen to return and remain with the football squad this fall, we agreed on several established guidelines. Unfortunately, he has not been able to abide by all those guidelines and has therefore forfeited his position on the roster. We wish him the best of luck as he moves forward in life."

"We are all saddened that this has occurred," coach Steve Spurrier said. "We feel like we've given Stephen numerous opportunities to be a student-athlete here. But obviously, he has chosen not to follow the guidelines of his reinstatement contract. We wish him the best."

Garcia threw for 7,597 yards, 47 touchdowns and 41 interceptions in 34 career starts.

11 comments:

  1. Its about time. Should have goten rid of him a long time ago. He's a first class screw up.

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  2. It's about damn time.

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  3. Nothing like a well-timed drug test. Had Shaw not led them to a blowout win over Kentucky, Garcia would still be there.

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  4. I hear Ohio State needs a QB, plus they have some great bars right across the street from the stadium. Perfect fit for Garcia.

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  5. The guys pretty much an alcoholic. I'm shocked it took this long for him to get booted.

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  6. Garcia was a turnover machine anyway, so no big loss. All the Gamecocks need is a QB that can turn around and hand the ball off to Lattimore. He's a damn beast.

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  7. I'm sure he's in a alcohol induced haze as we speak

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  8. Classic case of the "6 strikes and you're out" rule.

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  9. As a recovering alcoholic, I feel sorry for this kid. Its pretty obvious he has some form of substance abuse problem, so I know what he's going through. I just hope he gets the help he needs before its too late. You guys shouldnt be so quick to make fun of him. Its a disease.

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  10. I disagree Will. Just because you're a kid in college that drinks (like 90% of all kids who are in or ever been in college), doesn't mean you're an alcoholic. It means you're a kid too stupid to know when enough's enough. Garcia knew the rules, yet he still failed a substance test that he knew he could be given at any point. I've read quotes from his father saying his son's glad it's over with, so it sounds to me like he wanted to pop positive on a test so he'd be given the boot. That makes him a little boy that wasn't man enough to see something he started through till the end. The going got tough, so he got going. Have fun in the CFL Stephen. At least there you can become a true alcoholic on Canadian moonshine.

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