Garrison Hearst

Garrison Hearst (born January 4, 1971) is a running back that plays for the NFL's Denver Broncos. He had previously played for the Phoenix and Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers. He has run for 1,000 yards in a season on 4 occasions and won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2001.

Injury and career afterwards

Entering the 1999 season, Hearst was regarded as one of the better backs in the league. In a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, however, Hearst suffered a gruesome and severe ankle injury. Doctors said he might not play again, but the 49ers kept him on their roster as an inactive player.

Related Topics:
1999 - Atlanta Falcons

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After over two years of long rehabilitation, Hearst surprised many by playing in football in 2001. He had an excellent season, too, rushing for 1,206 yards on a 4.8 average. His amazing comeback earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. The 49ers, who were 10-22 in 2 seasons without Hearst, went 12-4 that year.

Related Topics:
2001 - NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hearst would remain with the 49ers for two more seasons, but was used less often, the focus of the 49ers' running game shifting to Kevan Barlow. Hearst still ran for 972 yards and 768 yards in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Related Topics:
Kevan Barlow - 2002 - 2003

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The 49ers cut Hearst after 2003 because of salary cap issues. Hearst signed with the Denver Broncos, but ran for just 81 yards the entire 2004 season.

Related Topics:
2003 - Salary cap - Denver Broncos - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has yet to play in 2005, and his career may be effectively over; he is now 34 years old.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~