We are excited to recognize Charlie Garner, who started his football career with the Annandale Boys & Girls Club.
Garner grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and attended J.E.B. Stuart High School (now known as Justice High School). His senior year, he was selected first-team All-Metropolitan (Northern Virginia, Suburban Maryland and the District of Columbia), first-team All-State, and named Virginia's player of the year after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 38 touchdowns.
On October 16, 2009, Garner had his JEB Stuart High School number 30 jersey retired during a halftime ceremony.
In 1991, Garner set junior college records for rushing yards in a game (430) and yards in two consecutive games (765) at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Garner then transferred to the University of Tennessee and graduated with a business degree. He is notable for starting ahead of fellow NFL RB James Stewart at Tennessee.
Garner was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft.
He was a multi-talented running back and an excellent receiver. In the 2002-03 season with the Oakland Raiders, he was the team's leading rusher with 962 yards and seven touchdowns, while also leading all NFL running backs in receiving with 91 receptions for 941 yards and another four touchdowns. The 91 receptions for 941 yards were the fifth and fourth most in NFL history by a running back, respectively.[2] He also previously held the record for most rush yards in a game by a 49er (201) later broken by Frank Gore. The crossed forearm symbol he displayed after scoring was a tribute to his neighborhood of Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia.
In August 2005, Garner was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering a knee injury the previous season. During his career, he rushed 1,537 times for 7,097 yards scoring 39 touchdowns, caught 419 passes for 3,711 yards and 12 touchdowns.
During his career, Garner was nicknamed "IO," which stood for "Instant Offense," because he excelled at both rushing and receiving.
We have been excited to follow Charlie's career and are proud with all that he has accomplished. The Annandale Boys & Girls club history is still being written, and we are excited to have you as part of that story.
