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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/ZappaOMatic on 2026-03-11 01:15:09+00:00.
Original Title: In 2005, Roberto Garza signed with the Ravens but failed his physical and was told he “didn’t even have an ACL” despite starting 15 games the year prior. The Bears signed him shortly after, and he became an anchor on their OL for the next decade.
From the March 20, 2005 issue of the Northwest Herald:
Freiday’s signing of guard Garza carried some risk along with the potential for significant rewards.
Garza agreed to terms with Baltimore last month, but failed his physical. Garza underwent surgery the previous summer to repair a torn right ACL, and the Ravens determined it had not healed sufficiently.
“They told me I didn’t even have an ACL,” Garza said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
The operation during the summer of 2004 did not prevent Garza from starting 15 games for Atlanta last season. The Bears gave him a one-year contract for the veteran minimum of $750,000, with incentives that could push the total past $1 million.
“I played fine on the knee last year,” Garza said. “It won’t be an issue.”
Garza eventually got a six-year extension with the Bears in 2006, and was part of their Super Bowl run later that season. He remained a mainstay of Chicago’s offensive line through 2014.