David Garrard is living proof that someone with Crohn’s disease can still achieve their life goals.
Garrard, 28, a quarterback for the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars, spoke to an audience of about 120 campers and camp counselors at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s (CCFA) Camp Oasis Thursday, July 20 at Camp Tamarack in Ortonville.
‘I’ve been going around the country, talking to camps, telling my story and how it’s affected me,? he said. ‘I think I’ve been blessed to get the word out and educate people. A lot of the kids had great questions. When kids starting asking about help on how to get treatment, it’s the best time for me to hear those questions.?
He said he first was diagnosed with the disease March 25, 2004, shortly after his second season with the Jaguars. ‘I basically had really bad gassy pains, and I was making numerous trips to the restroom,? he said. ‘I remember when I first had those problems ? it was a bad stretch.?
According to the WebMD Website (www.webmd.com), symptoms of Crohn’s disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, and weight loss. In addition, the site said Crohn’s can be difficult to diagnose because ‘symptoms usually develop gradually and not all of the intestine is involved.?
Garrard said this has been his first summer speaking to youngsters about Crohn’s disease. He has been to three camps so far, and hopes to get involved in more fundraising activities after the 2006 season, including a possible golf tournament.
After getting the proper treatment for Crohn’s, Garrard continued progressing in his NFL career as the Jaguars? second-string quarterback behind starter Byron Leftwich. In 2005, Garrard would see significant playing time in helping the Jaguars make the playoffs, as the team compiled a 12-4 record.
Last season, Garrard started five games for the Jaguars, while Leftwich was injured, and the Jaguars went 4-1 during that time span. He also replaced an injured Leftwich during the Jaguars? Nov. 27 game against Arizona, leading the team to a 24-17 win.
Garrard completed 98-of-168 passes (58.3 percent) for 1,117 yards during the season, with four touchdowns and one interception, good for a 83.9 quarterback rating. He set a career high with 292 yards passing (completing 18-of-31 passes) and threw a touchdown pass as the Jaguars defeated the Houston Texans 38-20 in a Dec. 24 game.
He was originally drafted by the Jaguars in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft.
This season, Garrard is optimistic about the Jaguars? chances, even though the team lost longtime wide receiver Jimmy Smith to retirement. He said the team has several younger players capable of stepping up and succeeding at wide receiver.
‘It’s going to be a good year,? he said.
Having overcome his condition to continue his NFL career, Garrard, a graduate of East Carolina University, encouraged high school athletes to overcome obstacles and keep up with their grades, especially if they are considering athletics at the collegiate or even the professional level.
‘Stay with your dreams,? he said. ‘Even when things look tough, you have to fight through it.?