North Cook News

James Richard Garoppolo was born on November 2, 1991, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The third of four sons in a close-knit Italian-American family, he grew up in this suburban area. His early life was marked by athletic talent, particularly in football and baseball.

Garoppolo attended Rolling Meadows High School, where he played quarterback and linebacker. He set high school records and earned a scholarship to Eastern Illinois University. There, he broke multiple records and won the Walter Payton Award in 2013.

In 2014, Garoppolo was drafted by the New England Patriots. He spent four seasons as a backup, contributing to two Super Bowl wins. In 2017, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he revitalized the team and led them to Super Bowl LIV in 2019. His tenure with the 49ers was also marked by injuries, limiting his playtime.

Garoppolo signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 but struggled with performance and injuries. He was released by the Raiders in March 2024. Shortly after, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

Throughout his career, Garoppolo’s success has been a point of pride for Arlington Heights. His achievements on the field are a reflection of his early promise and the support he received from his hometown.