Hours ago, it was announced that South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia had been dismissed from the team after reportedly failing an alcohol test. It’s been well-documented that Garcia was on an especially short leash with head coach Steve Spurrier following the senior’s fifth suspension last April for -- again -- what is reported to be an alcohol-related incident.
But even though the troublesome Garcia era is over in Columbia, the reactions of the dismissal are only just beginning, and there’s probably no one who can give as intimate a look into Garcia’s life as his own father. Speaking with the Tampa Tribune, Gary Garcia said that his son, and his son only, was responsible for his collegiate outcome.
“Obviously, Stephen is responsible for his actions, which we’ve told him from the beginning,” the elder Garcia told the Tampa Tribune. “He should’ve known better. He should’ve made better decisions. I don’t know how many college kids can handle zero tolerance, but those were the choices he had.”
Stephen “decided to have a couple of beers. And then they decided to random alcohol test him and that’s what he failed,” Garcia added. “I don’t hold the university responsible for it. Stephen did it. He should be responsible. You only get so many chances.”
Garcia reportedly blew his final one on Oct. 4. The State newspaper reports that’s when Garcia failed his most recent alcohol test. Now that Garcia is off the team, it appears he’ll be moving back to the Tampa area with his family for the time being.
“We’re coming home and letting the dust settle here,” Gary Garcia said. “We’ll look at his options. What those options are, I have no idea.’'