49ers’ Garcia Arrested in Drunk Driving Case

San Francisco 49er quarterback Jeff Garcia was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Wednesday in San Jose and spent the night alone in a jail cell.

Garcia was red-eyed when he made a short statement to reporters at the 49er training complex in Santa Clara.

“I regret that I’m standing here in front of you in this type of situation,” he said. “As a member of the community, I take on my responsibility as a role model very seriously. I understand the actions or the responsibilities that somebody in my position sets within this community.”

Garcia is scheduled to make a court appearance March 1.

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John Elway and Barry Sanders are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The other finalists: wide receivers Art Monk and Bob Hayes; defensive ends Richard Dent, Carl Eller and Jim Marshall; guard Bob Kuechenberg; safety Cliff Harris; cornerback Lester Hayes; tackles Rayfield Wright, Bob Brown and Gary Zimmerman. Linebacker Harry Carson and general manager George Young are automatic finalists because of their high finish in last year’s voting. The new class will be elected in Houston on Jan. 31, the day before the Super Bowl.

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Carolina Panther running back Stephen Davis did not practice because of a strained left quadriceps.