Charlie Garner

Charlie Garner III (born February 13, 1972) is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.

Garner has also been a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early years
Garner grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and attended J.E.B. Stuart 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.

College career
In 1992, 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.

Professional career
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. His most productive years were with the 49ers. In 1999 he had 1,229 yards rushing, 535 yards receiving and scored six touchdowns. The following season he had 1,142 yards rushing, 647 yards receiving and scored 10 touchdowns. 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. 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.