Former South Carolina Quarterback Stephen Garcia Diagnosed With Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer

Former college quarterback Stephen Garcia, 38, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer that originated in the colon and spread to the liver. Garcia, who played for South Carolina from 2008 to 2011, first shared the diagnosis on social media earlier this week.

He discussed his experience in detail during a press conference on May 8, 2026, and began chemotherapy on May 6. Garcia said he first noticed abdominal pain in his left lower abdomen and inconsistent bowel movements in July 2025. He initially dismissed the symptoms but sought an ultrasound after they persisted, at the encouragement of his wife Masha Garcia.

The ultrasound led to an MRI and a colonoscopy that confirmed the cancer. "That's where it's at now, and that's the only place it is as of now, knock on wood," he said. "It's a hell of a journey," Garcia stated. "The doctors that I have and the oncologists, the surgeons that I've met with up to date have been extremely confident.

You know, they're like, 'You're a young dude, you're healthy ... '" His treatment plan includes four to six cycles of chemotherapy, followed by radiation and surgery. Garcia said he decided to speak publicly to encourage others to get checked when experiencing symptoms.

"I'm just using this entire thing to try to emphasize people that if they're not feeling 100% if there's anything wrong, to just go get checked out, you know, put your pride aside and just go get checked out," he said. Garcia described the diagnosis as another battle.

"I look at it as just another battle. You know, I'm built for this kind of operation ... it's not going to be easy," he said. He stressed maintaining a positive outlook. "We're going to kick this thing in the teeth and knock it out. There is no other option," Garcia said.

"There's no other plan B. " Garcia became emotional when discussing telling his three children about the diagnosis. He called the conversation difficult and recognized his wife as "extremely strong," saying it would be tough to proceed without her. He noted receiving support from his former athletic program and others in the football community since the announcement.

Cases of colorectal cancer have increased among people under 50 in recent years. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2017 reported a 2.3 percent rise in rectal cancer cases and a 1.3 percent rise in colon cancer cases among individuals aged 40 to 54 since the 1990s.

A new study suggests lowering the colorectal cancer screening age by five years. Screening rates among adults aged 45 to 49 remain low even as diagnosis rates climb in that group. Garcia played all four seasons at quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

In 2010, he passed for 20 touchdowns and more than 3,000 yards.