By any measure, Jimmy Garoppolo is a hometown hero in Arlington Heights. Heck, even his former high school, Rolling Meadows High School, has a display case complete with his retired jersey, No. 10, and other memorabilia. The recognition reflects his leadership during his junior and senior years — he graduated in 2010 — when he led the Mustangs to two playoff appearances, while passing for 3,136 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Jimmy Garoppolo leading the RMHS Mustangs as quarterback. (Photo courtesy of Denise Garoppolo)
Now, the Arlington Heights Historical Museum is getting in on the act. This month, Garoppolo’s helmet and cleats from his years with the San Francisco 49ers are on display through September, in the museum’s Gift Shop case, which changes monthly.
“The loan came about through the effort of our Assistant Curator Jon Gardner,” says Museum Curator Stephanie Lee. “Knowing that Jimmy grew up in Arlington Heights, Jon thought it would be fun to display something of his in our Gift Shop case in conjunction with the start of football season. Jon reached out to Jimmy’s management team to begin the conversation and it resulted in the loan.”
Garoppolo played his collegiate ball at Eastern Illinois University, where he set school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns.
He was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He spent his first four seasons as Tom Brady’s backup and was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams. Garoppolo was a traded near the end of the 2017 season to the 49ers, where he would rise to national prominence.
Assistant Curator Jon Gardner prepares the installation at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
Garoppolo’s most successful season was in 2019 when he guided the 49ers to the top conference seed and an appearance in Super Bowl LIV. In 2021, he would lead the team to the NFC Championship game, but he ultimately suffered a season-ending injury during the 2022 season.
Garoppolo would spend one year with the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Los Angeles Rams last season, where he continues to serve as backup QB to starter Matthew Stafford.
Still, Arlington Heights is never far from his mind. For one thing, he keeps in close touch with his former 49ers teammate, Robbie Gould, who coached for last season with the Rolling Meadows Mustangs before taking over the program this year at Saint Viator High School.
“We had a lot of synergy together, from both being from the Chicago area. We just had a lot in common,” Gould said when he arrived at Garoppolo’s former high school. “He’s excited for me. He knows the kind of energy and excitement I’m going to bring to the program every day.”
Robbie Gould poses in front of the display case dedicated to Jimmy Garoppolo at RMHS.
Through all the ups and downs of playing professional football, Garoppolo thanks the many fans back home who continue to follow his career.
“To my hometown, thank you for the roots, the friendships and countless memories,” Garoppolo says. “No matter where I go, this place will always be home to me.”
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