Garcia is AFL’s New All-Time Leading Touchdown Passer

TULSA, Okla. – He was already considered one of the best the league has ever seen, but Jacksonville quarterback Aaron Garcia solidified that statement this weekend when he broke the all-time total passing touchdowns record in the Sharks’ 64-56 victory over the Chicago Rush.

Garcia’s record setting touchdown pass happened early in the third quarter and was his third touchdown pass of the game. Garcia found an open Jomo Wilson for the score, giving him 932 total passing touchdowns in his 15-year AFL career. The previous record was 931, held by Clint Doletzel. Garcia went on the throw four more touchdowns before the end of the game, going 25-37-2 for 304 yards and seven touchdowns in the win.

Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) is used to breaking records. In high school, he broke the California state record for touchdowns, shattering the record previously set by John Elway.

In their May 1 victory over the Tulsa Talons, Garcia threw his 900 touchdown pass. He is only the second player in AFL history to pass the 900 mark.

“I am very proud and excited for Aaron,” Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said. “This is a monumental occasion, both for Aaron as an individual but also for the league. He is immortal in Arena Football history, and the product he delivers both on and off the field is something special.”

Garcia has been playing Arena Football since 1995, when he started his career with the Arizona Rattlers. He bounced between the Connecticut, New Jersey and Iowa franchises until 2001, where he found a home with the New York Dragons. He played for the Dragons until 2008, and joined Jacksonville in the league’s re-emergence in 2010.

In his career, Garcia has completed 3,476-of-5,519 (62%) passes with a mere 148 interceptions. In addition to having 936 touchdown passes, Garcia has thrown for 43,737 yards since 1995. This season, he is 206-of-329 with 14 interceptions. He has thrown for 2,369 yards and 55 touchdowns.

With an average of 6 touchdowns per game, Garcia is on track to finish the regular season with 978 career touchdown passes.

The Sharks, who currently have the best record in the AFL (7-2), will be observing their second bye week next week. They are set to face the Orlando Predators on June 18.

Career Passing

Year Team Comp Att % Yds TD INT

1995 Arizona Rattlers 175 284 61.6 2416 43 8

1996 Connecticut Coyotes 136 271 50.2 1779 31 4

1997 New Jersey Red Dogs 76 138 55.1 950 16 7

1998 Iowa Barnstormers 200 343 58.3 2457 43 9

1998 New Jersey Red Dogs 91 140 65 1158 18 5

1999 Iowa Barnstormers 283 468 60.5 3815 68 15

2000 Iowa Barnstormers 270 466 57.9 4026 92 8

2001 New York Dragons 368 529 69.6 4515 104 16

2002 New York Dragons 112 188 59.6 1390 29 9

2003 New York Dragons 329 513 64.1 4279 100 10