Beloved Green Bay Packers Legend Has Tragically Died

Green Bay Packers helmet (Photo By Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
Green Bay is mourning the sudden loss of a man who never really left the field, even after his cleats came off.

Eddie Garcia, the former Packers kicker turned board member, died unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 65. The Packers announced the news Tuesday night, prompting an immediate wave of heartfelt tributes from fans, friends, and former teammates.

Garcia played just two seasons in the NFL, but his influence in the organization stretched far beyond the 19 games he suited up for in 1983 and 1984. His journey with the team didn’t end with his final kick.

Whether in the locker room or the boardroom, Garcia remained deeply connected to the Packers and the Green Bay community for decades.

Garcia’s Lifelong Connection To The Game

Eddie Garcia (Photo Via Facebook/@Woodrow Wilson High School)
Drafted in the 10th round of the 1982 NFL Draft, Garcia earned his spot as a placekicker for the Packers after a standout college career at SMU. He still shares the Mustangs’ all-time record for most field goals made, with 44 to his name. A hamstring injury cut short his 1984 season, and the team released him shortly afterward, but Garcia never really stepped away.

After football, he carved out a successful career off the field. He worked as senior director at Oshkosh Defense, showing the same drive that fueled his days on the field. In 2021, he officially returned to the Packers when the team elected him to its board of directors. Over the past four years, he served on the sales and marketing and Packers Foundation committees, playing a quiet but steady role in guiding the franchise forward.

The Green Bay Press Gazette described his death as “sudden.” No official cause has been released yet. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Jill, along with two daughters, Susan and Katherine, and a grandson, Oscar.

Eddie Garcia’s story wasn’t about numbers or fame. It was about staying connected. He kept showing up, long after the roar of the crowd faded, giving back to the team that once gave him a shot. And for many in Green Bay, that’s exactly the kind of legacy that sticks.