Former Gators O-Lineman Garcia Goes from Birmingham Bowl to Super Bowl 50
Sunday, February 7, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Garcia is one of four ex-Gators in today's game
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Denver Broncos took their pregame walk-through at Levi's Stadium on Saturday, their final visit to the site of today's Super Bowl 50 prior to kickoff.
Before they departed the team hotel former Gators center Max Garcia, in his rookie season with Denver, met up with his biggest fans.
His family.
"We'll have a conversation and we'll pause, 'we're going to the Super Bowl. We are in the Super Bowl.' It really hit us,'' said Luis Garcia, Max's older brother. "We really thank him for the opportunity to bless us with this. His hard work has paid off. It's a blessing to see him in the Super Bowl."
Garcia is one of three Gators on the Broncos' roster, joining receiver Andre Caldwell and linebacker Lerentee McCray. On Sunday evening at Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos face the Carolina Panthers for the NFL championship.
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, a favorite to win the league's MVP award, also started his career at Florida as Tim Tebow's backup. Newton moved on and finished his college career at Auburn, where he led the Tigers to the national title in 2010.
Garcia took the opposite path. He began his career at Maryland and after losing focus of his values, made a decision four years to the day Monday -- Feb. 8, 2012 -- that altered his future.
That was the day Garcia requested a release from his Maryland scholarship to transfer. The request was approved a few days later and on April 20 he committed to Florida.
His final game at Florida was the Birmingham Bowl. This bowl is a bit more high-profile.
"I'm just enjoying the moment and trying to soak it all in," Garcia told reporters this week. "To make it to the Super Bowl in your first year is amazing."
Garcia has played in all 18 games for the Broncos and started five of the last six regular-season games. He is a member of a three-man rotation at guard along with Evan Mathis and Louis Vasquez.
Their primary job is to protect Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who is playing in his fourth Super Bowl and what could be the final game of his Hall of Fame career.
Manning connected with Garcia quickly. When the Broncos drafted Garcia in the fourth round of last year's draft, Manning called to congratulate Garcia and welcome him to the team.
"For Max, that meant a lot to him,'' said Luis, who is 11 years older than Max and was his chauffeur, water boy and mentor when Max started playing Pop Warner. "To see Max alongside him, that's crazy."
The Garcia family has a Super Bowl tradition. They show up at Luis' Atlanta-area home on Super Bowl Sunday and dive deep into the game and Mexican food. Max, of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, had to have Rotel cheese dip.
Luis drove from Atlanta to Birmingham for Max's final game at Florida 13 months ago, a more laid-back trip than this one. He arrived in San Francisco around 1 a.m. Saturday after a cross-country flight. He was still groggy when he met his brother in a packed hotel lobby Saturday.
"There are Broncos fans everywhere,'' he said. "We're among friends. This is one of those experiences you won't forget."
Max isn't expected to start but should get plenty of snaps behind Mathis and Vasquez. He played 26 snaps in the AFC Championship victory over New England.
The stage has changed for Garcia, who became a fan favorite at Florida and remains active on social media in discussing the Gators with fans, but his humble approach has not.
"The guys who have been here recommended we stay focused and enjoy the moment because you never know if you'll be back,'' he said. "I feel really blessed to be on a winning team and have a chance to win a championship."
Luis was at the game two weeks ago when Broncos coach Gary Kubiak inserted Max at fullback in a goal-line situation. It reminded him of Max's Pop Warner days when he would line up in the backfield as his team's biggest player.
"It's always been about team-first for Max,'' Luis said.
As they reminisced Saturday, Luis did his best to help Max stay calm and not get overwhelmed by the hoopla surrounding the biggest game he has ever played in since he first put on a helmet as a 7-year-old.
He then offered a final piece of advice.
"The Broncos have to win,'' Luis told him. "No pressure."
