Jimmy Garoppolo, born and raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois, made waves in college football as the star quarterback for the Eastern Illinois Panthers. During his time at Eastern Illinois University, Garoppolo earned numerous accolades such as the Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision. In 2014, he was drafted by the New England Patriots, where he excelled as Tom Brady's understudy before moving on to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. Garoppolo quickly made an impact as the starting quarterback, leading the 49ers to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season. His performance statistics include over 10,000 passing yards and 65 touchdowns during his time with San Francisco. Garoppolo's strong arm and leadership skills continue to make him a pivotal player in the NFL.