1. He’s a Lone Star stud who was born on the West Coast.
Derek, 25, might be California’s newest favorite son, as he’s led the Oakland Raiders to one of the best seasons in the team’s recent history. Going into Week 12, the Raiders were 8-2 – unbelievable!
Though Derek is a native of Bakersfield, California, he grew up not in the Golden State but under the stars of Texas. In 2002, the Carr family relocated to Sugar Land, Texas, after Derek’s older brother, David Carr, 37, became the first player picked by the then-expansion NFL team, the Houston Texans.
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2. He found success early in his pro career.
The Raiders picked Derek in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, and he was the kick in the pants the team needed. He finished his rookie career with over 3,200 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also became the first Oakland quarterback since 2002 to start all 16 games. Nice. The success continued into his sophomore career, as he ended his second season with 53-career touchdown passes. The only QB to throw more TDs in his first two seasons? NFL icon Dan Marino, 55.
3. He would have loved to play in Texas – but Houston didn’t want him.
The Houston Texans are regretting passing over Derek in the 2014 NFL Draft – not once, but twice. Remember that Texas picked Derek’s brother, David, as the overall No. 1 draft pick and sadly, he’s now considered one of the biggest NFL Draft busts in history. Maybe that’s why they were shy to take a risk on David’s little bro? “They didn’t even talk to me one time,” Derek said about the Texans, according to NBC Sports. “I would have loved to play for Mr. [Bob] McNair, and I say that just with respect.”
4. Derek’s love for the Lone Star State is undeniable.
Derek loves Texas so much that he named his first son after the city of Dallas. Derek and his wife, Heather Neel, welcomed Dallas Carr on Aug. 5, 2013. It was a scary birth, as Dallas was born with a condition that tied up his intestines. After three surgeries to correct it, the young boy was A-okay.
5. For Derek, it’s all about the 3 Fs: Faith, Family and Football.
Along with his wife and two sons (Deker Luke Carr was born on March 16, 2016) Derek highly values his spirituality. “I have a very strong faith in God,” he writes on his official website. “He is the reason I play football. He has given me this special talent and I want to use it to glorify Him.”
What do you think about Derek Carr, HollywoodLifers? Are you amazed at Oakland’s season?