Jimmy Garoppolo is a famous American football quarterback who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He has won two Super Bowls as a backup for Tom Brady in the New England Patriots and led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl LIV in 2019. Here is a brief biography of his life and achievements.
Early Life and Family
Jimmy Garoppolo was born on November 2, 1991, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He is the third of four sons born to Tony and Denise Garoppolo, who are of Italian, Polish, and German descent. He grew up in a tight-knit, big Italian family and attended Rolling Meadows High School, where he played football and baseball. He was a quarterback and linebacker for the Mustangs football team and passed for 3,136 yards and 25 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons. He also pitched for the baseball team and said that baseball was his first love when he was a little kid.
College Career
Jimmy Garoppolo attended Eastern Illinois University, where he played college football for the Panthers from 2010 to 2013. He set multiple school records for career passing yards (13,156), passing touchdowns (118), completions (1,047), and attempts (1,668). He also won several awards and honors, such as the Walter Payton Award as the best offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2013, the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Offensive Player of the Year in 2013, and the first-team All-OVC in 2013 and second-team All-OVC in 2012.
NFL Career
Jimmy Garoppolo was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft as the 62nd overall pick. He spent his first four seasons as the backup quarterback for Tom Brady and was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams in 2014 and 2016. He also started two games in 2016 when Brady was suspended and won both of them. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in October 2017 and helped the team win five consecutive games to end the season. He signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension with the 49ers in February 2018, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time. However, his 2018 season was cut short by a torn ACL in Week 3. He bounced back in 2019 and led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and the NFC West division title. He also guided the team to the Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. His 2020 season was also marred by injuries, as he missed 10 games due to a high ankle sprain. He played only six games in 2021 and was benched for rookie Trey Lance. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2023 as a free agent and became their starting quarterback.
Personal Life and Trivia
Jimmy Garoppolo has a charming personality and good looks, earning him the nickname Jimmy GQ. He has been linked to several women, such as model Alexandra King and adult film star Kiara Mia, but he has kept his love life private and low-key. He is very close to his family and often posts pictures of them on his Instagram account. He is also involved in various charitable causes, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Here are some trivia facts about him:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Net worth | $44 million (as of 2021) |
| Jersey number | 10 |
| Nickname | Jimmy G |
| Awards | 2× Super Bowl champion, Walter Payton Award, OVC Offensive Player of the Year, First-team All-OVC, Second-team All-OVC |
| Records | Most passing yards in a single game by a 49ers quarterback (467), Most passing touchdowns in a single season by an Eastern Illinois quarterback (53), Most passing yards in a single season by an Eastern Illinois quarterback (5,050) |
Jimmy Garoppolo is one of the most talented and successful quarterbacks in the NFL. He has overcome many challenges and injuries to achieve his dreams. He is an inspiration to many young athletes and fans. He is also a humble and generous person who values his family and friends. He is a true star on and off the field.