A bond between brothers is a bond that can never be broken. They will always be there for each other; rejoicing together in good times and holding each other up during difficult times.
Ten years ago, a small boy from Bakersfield walked into Bulldog Stadium to watch the Fresno State Bulldogs play. This was no ordinary fan – this boy, Derek, was watching his hero play football. He was watching his brother David Carr lead the Bulldogs to a historic season.
Derek Carr knew at that moment that he wanted to be just like his big brother. He wanted to walk down the ramp at Bulldog stadium in his brother’s footsteps and play football. This year his dream came true.
“I remember,” said Carr. “I’ve always dreamed about becoming a Bulldog and I’m glad it’s come true. But it’s not about David. I called him right before I called Coach Hill. We talked and he said, ‘If that is where you want to play your college ball, then do it.’ I felt I would have the most fun, most success at Fresno State.”
There has been plenty of hype since Derek Carr landed at Fresno State. Derek knows he has a lot to live up to; former Fresno State standout David compiled 7,849 yards and 70 touchdowns as a two-year starter and was the number one overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft.
Derek has not disappointed this season. He has already thrown for 639 yards and four touchdowns in his first three games. Compared to David’s first three games, Derek is ahead of his brother’s pace. David was 1-2 in his first three games in 2000 after losses to Ohio State and UCLA and a victory over California. He had thrown for over 700 yards, five touchdown and four interceptions. David Carr would end up finishing his first season 7-5. The script is still in process for Derek in his first season.
Derek seems to embrace the fact that he could be in the shadow of his big brother. “My whole life I’ve been called ‘David,’” Derek said. “He’s my hero. It’s kind of cool having your big brother as your hero.”
David has passed on life lessons and wisdom to his younger brother and has helped him through life. “David taught me how to play the quarterback position and how to go through life and we’re similar. However, we do have our differences. I’m a lot more outgoing. He’s a lot quieter and I’m a lot more about the jokes and hanging out. Football-wise, we’re kind of the same guy. The only thing different is I may have blue eyes and he has brown eyes.”
There is no doubt in the mind of Derek’s older brother David that Derek can handle the pressure of being the starter and can be something special.
“He could probably come to camp with me and he would be OK,” David Carr said of his brother.
If Derek Carr has his way he too will one day be playing football on Sundays, once again following in his brother’s footsteps. He dreamed about that very moment when he was 10 years old watching his brother becomes the number one pick in the NFL draft.
“I was 10 years old, and I walked on the stage and shook the commissioner’s hand and told him I’d be back. I was just loving life.”
While Derek would love to see the same success his brother had at Fresno State, he also wants to build his own legacy and take the Bulldogs to even bigger heights.
Derek Carr has achieved what he set out to do… to be like his big brother, his hero.
