In 1932, Keene Fitzpatrick, who trained multiple Olympic gold medalists, called Garrels the best all-around athlete he ever handled.

[4] In April 1904, Garrels, while still a freshman, demonstrated his ability by throwing the discus "around 118 and 119 feet"—a distance that would have won the event at the prior week's Philadelphia meet.

"[7] The Detroit Free Press wrote that the AAU was a "discredited" organization and led its coverage of the ruling with a headline declaring, "GARRELS AGAIN ROBBED OF HONORS, A.A.U.

"[7] At the Western Conference meet in June 1906, Garrels won 18 points -- "more than any whole college team outside of Michigan and Chicago.

However, the executive committee of the AAU later ruled that the mark would not qualify as a world record because the wind was at his back.

"[12] In 1932, long-time Michigan and Princeton track coach Keene Fitzpatrick, who trained multiple Olympic gold medalists, called Garrels the best all-around athlete he ever handled.

As a sophomore, Garrels was the starting left end in six of ten games for the undefeated 1904 "Point-a-Minute" team that outscored its opponents 567–22.

The Detroit Free Press wrote: "Had there been interference near enough to brush off Eckersall, Michigan would have scored an easy touchdown and victory.

"[17] At the end of the 1905 season, the Detroit Free Press rated him as the "Star of Yost's Grid Warriors," adding, "If there was a man who stood out prominently, it was Johnnie Garrels.

[21] With Curtis out of the lineup, Penn's efforts were concentrated on Garrels, and "his every attempt at an end run or a fake kick" were stopped.

He can hurdle, jump and toss the weights and is sure to gather points for America in the many events in which he can make a strong showing.

"[24] The Pittsburg Press called Garrels "one of the greatest athletes ever developed in the history of manly sports in America.

"[25] Even Martin Sheridan (a five-time Olympic gold medalist) opined, "He's the greatest all-around athlete in our country -- that's what I think of him.

[26][27] In late June 1908, days before sailing for London, Garrels competed at the AAU meet in Pittsburgh.

[29] On June 27, 1908, Garrels set sail from New York to London aboard the Philadelphia as part of the 78-member American track team led by the famed trainer and coach Mike Murphy.

[31] On July 13, 1908, he led the American delegation into the Olympic stadium at Shepherd's Bush before King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria.

He finished third in the event, as fellow American (and former University of Michigan athlete) Ralph Rose took the gold medal.

Following Smithson's surprise victory over Garrels, one press account noted: J. C. Garrels, the great University of Michigan athlete, was regarded as unbeatable in this event by the members of the American team, and Smithson's feat of beating him by two yards is something which must mark him as perhaps the greatest athlete turned out in America this season.

[34]Upon their return from London, Garrels and other members of the American Olympic team were the guests of President Theodore Roosevelt at Oyster Bay.