David Carr: From Fresno State Standout to NFL Veteran

David Duke Carr, born on July 21, 1979, is an American former professional football quarterback whose career spanned 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Carr's journey began with a stellar college career at Fresno State, leading to his selection as the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. While his professional career had its challenges, Carr's resilience and experience led him to contribute to multiple teams, including a Super Bowl victory with the New York Giants.

Early Life and High School Career

David Carr's football journey began in Fresno, California, where he attended Valley Oak Elementary School and Kastner Intermediate School. At Kastner Intermediate, he excelled as the quarterback of the Thunderbirds, setting numerous California D-I middle school records. Carr's success continued at Stockdale High School, where he played with some of his best friends. He recalls the excitement of high school football, particularly the annual post-season pickup game against Bakersfield College, which was always an intense and memorable event.

College Career at Fresno State

After redshirting in 1999, Carr took over as the starting quarterback for the Fresno State Bulldogs during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs achieved a 7-5 record in 2000 and an impressive 11-3 record in 2001.

2001 Season: A Record-Breaking Year

Carr's senior season in 2001 was particularly remarkable. He led the NCAA in passing yards (4,308) and passing touchdowns (42). The Bulldogs achieved notable victories against Colorado, Oregon State, and Wisconsin, all members of BCS conferences. This success led to speculation about a potential BCS bid for the Bulldogs, a rare possibility for a team from a non-automatic qualifying conference.

Accolades and Recognition

Carr's outstanding performance in 2001 earned him the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, an honor bestowed upon college football's outstanding senior or fourth-year quarterback. He also received the Sammy Baugh Trophy and was a finalist for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

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Decision to Attend Fresno State

Despite interest from Pac-10 schools like UCLA and Washington, Carr ultimately chose to play for Fresno State. The decision came after a late visit from Fresno State's coach Pat Hill, who convinced Carr that Fresno State was the right fit. Carr wanted to play a lot sooner then he did. He ended up redshirting and didn't get a chance to start. He played a little bit his first couple years behind Billy Volek. He ended up starting his junior year and it worked out great. We were kind of Pat Hill's first recruiting class. We went through it together, everybody redshirted and my last year we must have had 18 to 20 guys starting as seniors. We had Bernard Berrian, who is with the Vikings, Logan Mankins who is playing guard for the Patriots.

NFL Career

Houston Texans (2002-2006)

Carr's stellar college career culminated in being selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL Draft, marking a significant moment for both Carr and the expansion team. He was the first-ever choice of the expansion Houston Texans.

2002 Season: A Promising Start and a Harsh Introduction

The Texans' inaugural regular-season game on September 8, 2002, resulted in a 19-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium. Houston became only the second expansion team to win its first game. However, the season proved to be a challenging one for Carr, as he was sacked a league-record 76 times. He also set an NFL record by recovering 12 of his own fumbles. Carr finished his rookie year with 2,592 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, along with 282 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.

Subsequent Seasons with the Texans

In 2003, Carr played 12 games (11 starts), recording 2,103 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 151 yards with 2 rushing touchdowns and was sacked 15 times. Carr started all 16 games in 2004, being sacked a league-leading 49 times. He passed for 3,531 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The 2005 season was difficult for the Texans, as they started with a 1-9 record and finished the season at 2-14. Despite the team's struggles and an ineffective offensive line, Carr managed to throw for 2,488 yards while being sacked a league-leading 68 times. The Texans finished the 2006 season at 6-10. Carr posted a career-high completion percentage of 68.9% and tied the single-game NFL record of 22 consecutive pass completions (against the Buffalo Bills).

Carolina Panthers (2007)

After being released by the Texans, Carr signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on April 6, 2007. Following an injury to starting quarterback Jake Delhomme, Carr was named the starter. He played in six games (started four games) and had three touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 53.7 completion percentage and a passer rating of 58.3. Carr suffered a back injury during the fifth game of the season (a victory vs. New Orleans).

New York Giants (2008-2009, 2011)

On March 12, 2008, Carr signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants, reuniting with former Houston offensive coordinator Chris Palmer. He served as a backup to Eli Manning for two seasons. Carr re-signed with the Giants on July 31, 2011, continuing in his role as Manning's backup.

Super Bowl XLVI Victory

Carr received his only Super Bowl ring in the 2011 season after the Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. He did not play a single snap during the 2011 regular season.

San Francisco 49ers (2010)

In 2010, Carr signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as a backup quarterback.

Life After Football

Carr joined NFL Network in 2016 as an NFL analyst for various programs, including Total Access.

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