It’s not often that you see a young college football player who is already married and has a baby, but that is the case with Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr.
Carr is the younger brother of former Fresno State quarterback and Houston Texans No. 1 overall pick David Carr. Derek grew up in central California but moved to Sugar Land, Texas, with his family after David was drafted by the Texans. Carr was recruited by colleges after playing his first three high school seasons in the Houston area. He exploded upon moving back to Bakersfield for his senior season, by which time he had already committed to the Bulldogs.
Carr enrolled at Fresno State in 2009. He hardly played his freshman season after being beaten out for the starting job, and then he redshirted in 2010. After two very good seasons as the starter, Carr entered the 2013 season as a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate, NFL prospect, and married father.
Carr married wife Heather Neel in June, 2012. She became pregnant about half a year later, and the two had their first child together in August.
Their son, Dallas, is now a month and a half old and endured a major medical scare upon being born. The New York Times wrote about the health scare, which included Dallas’ intestines being tied. Dallas has undergone three operations, but was in the stands with his mother as his dad played against Boise State on Friday night.
Dallas must be in pretty good shape to handle such a noisy environment. Heather even shed a few tears after Fresno State’s thrilling win.
Derek is 22 and seems mature for his age since he already has a family, which could look good in the eyes of NFL teams. But Carr says he was not always this way.
“I was out running around, living the life,” Carr told The Times regarding his early college days. “Everyone wanted to hang out with the Next Big Thing, and I soaked it up like an idiot. I want to go back and punch that guy in the face.”
Carr says his wife Heather helped him prioritize his life. Now he says his priorities are faith, family, and then football. Sounds pretty mature for a 22-year-old huh? And sounds like a pretty special lady too.
Below are more photos of Derek and Heather:
Hubs came out and surprised us in his uniform! What a handsome man I have on my hands! Go dogs great win!! #GodisGood pic.twitter.com/63FUbVKW
— Heather Carr (@heathercarr) November 4, 2012
Supportin' our Bulldogs! Great win today! Proud of y'all! Especially #4! #GodisGood #GoDogs pic.twitter.com/yIA36eV0
— Heather Carr (@heathercarr) October 7, 2012
Photo: Twitter/Heather Carr
