Troy University Athletics
Let the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me - Antonio Garcia
10/5/2016 12:30:00 PM | Football
This story originally appeared in the Austin Peay edition of GAMEDAY -- Troy's official football game program
Graduation. Outland Trophy watch list. Leader of the team. 2016 has already proven to be a big year for senior offensive lineman Antonio Garcia. With his final season approaching, Garcia still has some big things planned. The Atlanta, Ga., native started all 12 games for the Trojans last season only allowing three sacks in over 780 snaps. But this year, his goal is to not let anyone get through to his quarterback.
As a fifth year senior, Garcia knows the ins and outs of this team. With the first year of the Neal Brown era in the books, Garcia feels ready and more prepared than ever to lead this team.
"Since I am a fifth year senior, I have the responsibility to be a leader on this team," said Garcia. "I try my best to lead the guys and be supportive and encouraging for them. I give them guidance, show them right from wrong, and teach them the Trojan Way."
Last season, Garcia put his name in the record books for the Trojans, and people noticed. This summer, Garcia was one of only two players in the Sun Belt Conference named to the Outland Trophy watch list. The Outland Trophy recognizes the 70 best interior linemen in the country.
"Being recognized for the Outland Trophy is an honor and gives me a lot of motivation going into the season. It gives me something to prove to everyone."
Being nominated alongside some of the biggest names in college football gives Garcia an even bigger reason to work hard and leave everything out on the field. While he has a huge opportunity to rise up as the underdog for the award, the goals he has set for the team are the biggest priority for him.
"My number one goal for the team this year is to win the Sun Belt. My number two goal is to get to a bowl game, and my number three goal is to not allow any sacks this year."
Adjusting to a new head coach always takes time. Garcia feels Coach Brown's second year is the year for success. He is confident about the season and believes this team is up for any challenge that lies ahead.
"A lot more guys have experience now with what he has taught," said Garcia. "We have really started to gel, and we are getting better at communicating. Every day we are working harder and getting better. It is a work in progress."
Garcia takes on his leadership role off the field as well. The Trojans participate in a Big Brother/Little Brother program with other players on the team. Garcia's little brother is junior offensive lineman, Steven Rowzee. Building a relationship with other players on the team creates a strong bond on and off the field.
"I tell him all about Troy. I let him know what classes and professors to take. I really just try to get to know him as a person off the field as well," said Garcia. "I want to know all about his parents, where he is from, how he grew up, and just be someone he can confide in when he is having problems."
A typical day for Garcia begins at 6 am when he and Rowzee go work out together several days a week. After that, a routine of breakfast, class, meetings, and practice takes up most of his day. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
Playing Division I football leaves little time for personal activities, but when he isn't on the field, Garcia can usually be found doing other things he loves.
"I play a lot of basketball, and I also really enjoy fishing. Other than that, I just like to take time off and relax. I really like to nap when I get the chance."
Working hard is nothing new for Garcia. Work ethic was taught to him by his mom, Nina.
"My mom is a huge inspiration to me, said Garcia. "She is so hard working. She is just tough and works hard everyday for us. That is how I want to be remembered; as someone who is tough and puts the work in everyday. She is my biggest inspiration on and off the field."
While work ethic runs in the family, football for Garcia does not.
"I am the first football player in my family," said Garcia. "In high school a lot of my friends were playing football so I decided to go out there and play as well. There wasn't really anything else to do in my hometown. But once I started playing, I really fell in love with it."
As his final season is about to kickoff, Garcia recalls one of his favorite memories of being a Troy Trojan.
"My first game here I started as a freshman, and it was so fun! We played UAB and won in overtime. I had the greatest feeling waking up the next morning. My body was really sore, but we had the win so it felt great. That was my first game starting too. It was just a great feeling."
This spring, Garcia graduated with a degree in criminal justice. While he wants to live out his dream playing football after Troy, Garcia also looks forward to traveling the world and using his degree to pursue his other interests.
"I want to continue playing football," said Garcia. "But if that doesn't work out, I want to get into policing. I would like to join ATF, SWAT, or something like that. I want to have a job where I get to be physical, and I think I would be good at it. That is something I am really interested in."
Disruptive on the field, soft-spoken off the field, Garcia lives by one motto:
"My dad always says, 'let the work I've done speak for me.' I try to live by that motto everyday."
Heard loud and clear, Antonio.
