At San Antonio’s Jefferson High School where Tommy Nobis, Kyle Rote and others played, Garza was an All-City wide receiver, breaking records and setting new standards for excellence. However, his journey was not without its hardships. During his high school career, he suffered a serious head injury in a game his junior year, landing him in the hospital for two weeks. This experience gave him a firsthand understanding of the physical toll the sport could take, a realization that would later influence his medical career. Despite the injury, his coaches and doctor allowed him to play but this time only on offense. Garza returned to the field with even greater determination, earning a scholarship to Tulane University in New Orleans.

From Gridiron to Medicine
At Tulane, Garza continued to shine, first freshman to ever start on a varsity team, breaking nearly every receiving record in the school’s history. His impressive performances on the field caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to opportunities with the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and the Cleveland Browns. However, his dreams of a long professional career were cut short during his senior season when he tore his ACL in a game against West Virginia. Despite the severity of the injury, Garza played the rest of his collegiate season. “They would tape me up, numb my knee, and I’d play,” he recalled. “I’d be on crutches from Sunday until Thursday. The next day, I’d loosen up and run. Saturday I’d play. And Sunday I was back in the ice tub.” His grit and perseverance kept him in the game, but the toll on his body was undeniable.

He suffered several concussions during his collegiate years and then a severe concussion during training camp with the Saints further complicated his health, ultimately leading to the end of his football career. Remarkably, Garza never had the ACL repaired, and knee issues would persist throughout his life.

With his professional football aspirations cut short, Garza pivoted to a new passion—medicine. The injuries he had endured fueled his interest in healing and recovery, inspiring him to pursue a career in the medical field.

The Connection to Football: From Jefferson High to the NFL
One of the most significant connections in Dr. Garza’s life came when he reunited with Tommy Nobis in the NFL. Both Garza and Nobis were standout athletes at Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas, though they played in different eras. This shared foundation in high school football laid the groundwork for the respect and camaraderie they would later share in the NFL.

When Garza joined the Atlanta Falcons in the 1980s, his paths crossed with Nobis, who had already made a name for himself as a legendary linebacker for the team. It was Nobis’ last season and Garza’s first. Their shared Jefferson High background created a strong bond, with Tommy Nobis serving as both a mentor and a source of inspiration for Garza. The values of hard work, discipline, and teamwork they learned at Jefferson shaped their careers and continued to guide them long after their football days were over.

Academic and Surgical Excellence

Dr. Garza’s academic journey was as impressive as his athletic career. After earning a degree in political science at Tulane, Garza decided to pursue dentistry, despite no family background in the field.  This was something of an odd calling because, as he recollects, “no one in my immediate family ever went to the dentist for checkups — it just wasn’t in our family budget.”

On the same day that he got his acceptance to dental school, he also received a call from one of his former (and favorite) training camp coaches. Sam Rutigliano, at the time the new head coach for the Cleveland Browns, wanted the Tulane standout to come play for him. While excited, a conflicted Garza shared, “I told Coach Rutig about being accepted to dental school. He said that he wanted me to play for him but then after more discussion responded by saying that ‘If you were my son, I’d tell him to go become a doctor.’” And fortunately, that’s just what Garza did, thanks to Rutigliano’s sage advice.

He earned his dental degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1983. During this time, he had another change of heart after observing a surgeon operate on a child with a cleft lip—an experience that inspired him to switch to medicine.

Garza completed medical school at LSU, graduating with honors. He then pursued specialized training in reconstructive surgery, including a fellowship in head and neck cancer at the prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and residencies at LSU and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has served as a department chairman, Assoc. Vice President of the university and as chairman of the Texas State Board of Regents. Today, he is one of the few triple-board-certified plastic surgeons in the nation.

Contributions to Sports Medicine
Merging his athletic background with medical expertise, Dr. Garza became an authority in sports-related facial injuries and athlete health. He served as a team physician in 2005 and as a medical consultant to the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, and as a team physician for the University of Texas at San Antonio. Based on his research efforts at LSU and Pittsburgh he patented a protective facemask for athletes—a testament to his innovative approach to player safety.

As a reconstructive surgeon, Garza was determined to improve how athletes, particularly those with long-term sports injuries, were treated. He became a passionate advocate for the use of regenerative medicine—pioneering the use of stem cell therapies through FDA sponsored clinical trials and other innovative treatments to help athletes recover from chronic injuries. His experience as both a former athlete and a medical professional allowed him to approach treatment with a unique understanding of the psychological and physical challenges athletes face.

Dedication to NFL Alumni Health
His involvement with the NFL Alumni Health initiative has been instrumental in improving the long-term health of former players. As Senior Medical Advisor for NFL Alumni Health, he helps guide the organization to only offer researched and proven medical treatments and the athletes through their post-football health challenges, ensuring they receive the best possible care.

At Tulane School of Medicine, Garza helped organize and host the NFL Alumni Health “Huddle for Health” symposiums, which brought together medical experts to address the needs of retired NFL players, their families, and the community. His passion for improving the health of former athletes continues to shape his work today.

Conclusion
Dr. Jaime Garza’s remarkable journey from the gridiron to the operating room is a testament to his perseverance, dedication, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Whether mentoring fellow athletes or pioneering new medical treatments, his impact extends far beyond the football field. Through his work with the NFL Alumni Association, Dr. Garza is changing the future of player wellness, ensuring that former athletes have access to the care and resources they need to lead healthy lives long after their playing days are over.

Stay connected with NFL Alumni Health to learn more about the cutting-edge treatments and resources that are changing the future of player wellness.

To learn more about regenerative medicine, visit NFLAH Regenerative Medicine. To get involved with NFLAH, visit Regenerative Medicine