Green Bay Packers helmet (Photo By Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
Green Bay is mourning the sudden loss of a man who never really left the field, even after his cleats came off.

Eddie Garcia, the former Packers kicker turned board member, di3d unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 65. The Packers announced the news Tuesday night, prompting an immediate wave of heartfelt tributes from fans, friends, and former teammates.

Garcia played just two seasons in the NFL, but his influence in the organization stretched far beyond the 19 games he suited up for in 1983 and 1984. His journey with the team didn’t end with his final kick.

Whether in the locker room or the boardroom, Garcia remained deeply connected to the Packers and the Green Bay community for decades.

Garcia’s Lifelong Connection To The Game

Eddie Garcia (Photo Via Facebook/@Woodrow Wilson High School)
Drafted in the 10th round of the 1982 NFL Draft, Garcia earned his spot as a placekicker for the Packers after a standout college career at SMU. He still shares the Mustangs’ all-time record for most field goals made, with 44 to his name. A hamstring injury cut short his 1984 season, and the team released him shortly afterward, but Garcia never really stepped away.

 

After football, he carved out a successful career off the field. He worked as senior director at Oshkosh Defense, showing the same drive that fueled his days on the field. In 2021, he officially returned to the Packers when the team elected him to its board of directors. Over the past four years, he served on the sales and marketing and Packers Foundation committees, playing a quiet but steady role in guiding the franchise forward.

The Green Bay Press Gazette described his d3ath as “sudden.” No official cause has been released yet. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Jill, along with two daughters, Susan and Katherine, and a grandson, Oscar.

Eddie Garcia’s story wasn’t about numbers or fame. It was about staying connected. He kept showing up, long after the roar of the crowd faded, giving back to the team that once gave him a shot. And for many in Green Bay, that’s exactly the kind of legacy that sticks.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’