Rich Garza originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has lived in San Antonio, Texas for over 30 years. Rich played offensive line and started his college career at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he was a four-year letterman, captain, and two-time offensive line MVP. In the early – mid 80’s, Rich continued to play football at the professional level for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos, as well as for two USFL teams, the Philadelphia Stars, and the San Antonio Gunslingers. Rich started 56 games and 2 playoff games while in the USFL.
It was during an off-season when Rich felt a call to begin telling his story wherever there was an open the door and he’s been going strong for 36 years. In the past 3decades, Rich has spoken in over 3,000 schools in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, and Barbados; hundreds of prisons, penitentiaries, and detention centers all over North America; and death row in Raleigh, North Carolina. For the past 24 years,
Rich has also volunteered his time as the co-chaplain of the 5-time NBA. World Champions, The San Antonio Spurs, their opponents, and arena staff before every home game. He also served as the Chaplain of Canadian Football Team, The Texans, in 1995.
Rich is named to the National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame, the Lehigh Valley Football Hall of Fame, and the Liberty High School Hal of Fame. He has also served sa the Chaplain for the US Army High School All-Star game that is held ni San Antonio, Texas since the games inception and been a guest speaker for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Soldiers for Faith, and Behind the Walls Prison Ministries. Rich is the corporate chaplain for companies AM Technical Solutions, Airbox Inc, and the Austin Self AM Technical NASCAR Race Team. In 2014, Rich co-authored his first book, Available and his story is also told in Pat William’s Book Triumph.
Rich and his wife Jan of 36 years have four wonderful children: Kelly, Rich. David, and Daniel.