Garrison Hearst is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on January 4, 1971, in Lincolnton, Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football for the Bulldogs.
Hearst was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft, and he spent the first three seasons of his career with the team. He had a solid rookie season, rushing for 1,070 yards and scoring five touchdowns. However, he struggled with injuries in his second and third seasons, playing in just 10 games combined.
In 1996, Hearst was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, but he never played a game for the team. Instead, he was traded again, this time to the San Francisco 49ers. It was in San Francisco where Hearst had the best years of his career.
In his first season with the 49ers, Hearst rushed for 1,019 yards and scored six touchdowns. He followed that up with an even better season in 1998, rushing for 1,570 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. Hearst was named to the Pro Bowl and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Hearst continued to play well for the 49ers over the next few seasons, but he suffered a devastating injury in the 1998 playoffs. He broke his ankle and tore ligaments in a game against the Atlanta Falcons, and he missed the entire 1999 season as a result.
Despite the injury, Hearst returned to the field in 2000 and had another solid season, rushing for 1,206 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. He played two more seasons with the 49ers before being released in 2004.
Hearst finished his career with the Denver Broncos, where he played in just seven games before retiring after the 2004 season. Over the course of his career, Hearst rushed for 8,172 yards and scored 68 touchdowns. He was named to two Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 1998.
Off the field, Hearst has been involved in various charitable endeavors. He founded the Garrison Hearst Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to underprivileged children in Georgia. He has also been involved in the NFL's Play 60 program, which encourages children to be active and healthy.
In conclusion, Garrison Hearst had a successful career as an NFL running back, particularly during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. He overcame injuries and setbacks to become one of the league's top rushers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Off the field, he has been a positive influence in his community and has worked to help children in need.
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