NFL Alumni Gather for Charity Event in Downtown San Jose

Former 49ers QB Jeff Garcia and other NFL stars attend fundraiser for local food banks

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia returned to his old stomping grounds in downtown San Jose on Thursday night to attend an NFL alumni event benefiting two Bay Area nonprofits fighting food insecurity - Hunger at Home in San Jose and The City Eats in San Francisco. The event, co-produced with Beyond the Game Health and the NFL Alumni Association NorCal, was held at Sushi Confidential in San Pedro Square and featured appearances by other NFL stars, food, drinks, and an opportunity for fans to mingle with the athletes.

Why it matters

The event highlights the continued involvement of former NFL players in supporting local communities, particularly around issues like food insecurity that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. It also showcases how sports celebrities can leverage their platforms to drive awareness and funding for important causes.

The details

The event featured a spread of sushi, sashimi, steak bites, and vegetable tempura, along with football-themed cocktails like the 12th Man Margarita and Patriot Dynasty. Sushi Confidential owner Randy Musterer said he was pleased with the turnout, which was co-organized with Beyond the Game Health and the NFL Alumni Association NorCal. Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney James Gibbon-Shapiro, the new board chair of Hunger at Home, was also in attendance to discuss his organization's mission of food recovery and distribution.

  • The event took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Jeff Garcia

A former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and San Jose State University who attended the event.

Randy Musterer

The owner of Sushi Confidential in San Pedro Square, where the event was held.

James Gibbon-Shapiro

The Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney and new board chair of the Hunger at Home nonprofit.

Hunger at Home

A San Jose-based nonprofit that provides food recovery services and distribution to those in need.

The City Eats

A San Francisco-based nonprofit that also works to fight food insecurity in the Bay Area.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This event showcases the continued commitment of former NFL players to supporting their local communities, particularly around important issues like food insecurity that have become even more pressing during the pandemic. It highlights the power of sports celebrities to drive awareness and funding for nonprofits making a difference in people's lives.