Selected in the fourth round (108th overall) out of East Carolina in the 2002 NFL Draft, David Garrard entered the professional ranks initially slated to serve as the long-term backup to veteran Mark Brunell. That depth chart dynamic shifted a year later when Jacksonville drafted Byron Leftwich in the first round. Over the next several seasons, Garrard stepped up whenever called upon—including a key stretch in 2005 where he went 5–1 as a starter to push the Jaguars into the playoffs—before permanently claiming the starting job ahead of the 2007 campaign.

Garrard’s first year as the undisputed full-time starter in 2007 produced a career-defining performance. Combining calm decision-making with powerful mobility, he threw 18 touchdown passes against just three interceptions all season, leading Jacksonville to an 11–5 record and a 102.2 passer rating. In the wild-card round against Pittsburgh, Garrard authored one of the most iconic moments in franchise history, converting a daring fourth-and-2 scramble late in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning field goal. Two years later, Garrard achieved national recognition with a Pro Bowl selection in 2009 after throwing for 3,597 yards and rushing for three additional scores.

After starting 14 games in 2010, Garrard was surprisingly released just days before the 2011 regular-season opener. He subsequently underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc. Though he later signed contracts with the Miami Dolphins in 2012 and the New York Jets in 2013, knee complications prevented him from ever taking another snap in a regular-season game. As a result, every official down of his nine-year NFL playing career was contested exclusively in Jacksonville teal and black.

Over his career, Garrard compiled 16,003 passing yards, 89 passing touchdowns, and 54 interceptions, alongside 380 rushing attempts for 1,746 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.