He was best in a backfield full of future NFL talent at the University of Tennessee and after two stellar seasons with the Vols; he went to the NFL where he should have been a first round pick until a failed drug test dropped his stock. He would be drafted by the Eagles where he would play a backup to Ricky Watters for years. Then when the Eagles made a coaching change to Andy Reid, he made a change by releasing Garner. At this point, Garner was a 27 year old injury prone backup whose time in the league looked to be coming to an end. But after a terrible injury to Garrison Hearst; Garner got the opportunity to fill in for the 49ers and he seized it as he became one of the top all purpose backs in the league during his time in San Francisco and even made a Pro Bowl in 2000. He would sign with the Raiders for 2001, to play for the head coach who had once been his offensive coordinator in Jon Gruden. And Garner would quietly become one of the key pieces to a great Raiders offense that featured Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. Garner’s first year would end in a controversial playoff loss to New England after the “Tuck rule” game. But he came back in year 2 and put together his best season as he rushed and received for over 900 yards with a career high in scrimmage yards and a top 10 finish in the league in receptions. The Raiders would make it all the way to Super Bowl XXXVII; but would lose to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team led by Jon Gruden. After this year, Garner declined and injuries caught up with him as he would play two more shortened seasons before ending his career in 2005. He didn’t have an overall amazing career, but he had an amazing 4 year stretch from 1999-2002 which saw him as one of the top dual threat backs in the league. And although he struggled with injuries most of his career, he never used them as an excuse and if he could suit up, he was going to give you everything. And that’s why Charlie “Instant Offense” Garner deserves more appreciation.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GarnCh00.htm
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