The San Francisco 49ers are one of the best teams in the NFL this season, and that’s in large part thanks to their quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. Along with the team’s rock-solid defense, Garoppolo has been the team’s guiding force in his first full season as a starter. But what some may not realize is that the foundation for Garoppolo’s success started well before his pro or college career. It started with his Italian family. 

Garoppolo played his college football for Eastern Illinois University. Garoppolo won the 2013 Walter Payton Award, the prize given to the top Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) player in the nation.  Garoppolo’s senior season was particularly memorable. In 14 games played he completed 375 passes on 568 attempts for a completion percentage of 66%.