Fresno State Athletics
Still Cruising
11/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2001
By Kelly Walls, Fresno State Media Relations
Seniors in college have little time for anything but homework and studying. Having the added pressures of being on a top rated team in the country erases more hours out of the day. Throw in being a father to an 18 month old little boy and the amount of free time goes to zero.
This is Fresno State Quarterback David Carr's life. Time management is very important to Carr. He says he has to keep his priories in mind to be successful on the field.
"First God, then family, football and everything else are third," said Carr.
To keep everything in perspective, Carr prays in church to stay closer to God. He also spends time with his family. He will take his wife out to dinner or play with his son.
Balancing everything can be difficult. Carr has 1-2 hours of class a day. He then goes to practice and then home to change a diapers.
"You just have to take everything in stride. It's hard to be a young married person, but I enjoy it all," said Carr.
When Carr isn't at Bulldog Stadium he is in Bakersfield watching his brother Darren play football. Darren is a sophomore at the junior college in Bakersfield.
"If I have a free Saturday, I'll go watch my brother play football and visit the family," said Carr.
Although the two brothers both play football, Carr has apprehensions about his younger brother playing for Fresno State one day.
"My brother and have talked about it. I don't want him to be known as David Carr's little brother," said Carr.
Being the family member of a star does have its downfalls. There is little time to see his family and in many cases, Carr has to combine family time with football practice. His father and wife often come to practice in order to spend time with Carr during the day.
"My wife brings Austin to practice. It another way for him to go to the park," said Carr.
Despite these few setbacks, Carr says that he wouldn't want life any other way. He has come to Bulldog Stadium since fourth grade. He and his father would to the stadium and throw the ball around at dusk.
"My dad and I hopped the fence to get in. The grass was much nicer at the stadium than at home," said Carr.
Before football was a part of Carr's life, he says that he wanted to be an architect. He admits though that he would want to keep athletic activities in his life.
"Playing a sport and getting paid for it is the best," said Carr.
A second sport in Carr's life is Golf. He says that to be a respectable quarterback, you have to learn how to play golf. Carr has noticed that many NFL players golf.
"I've played golf against Trent Dilfer. He kills me," said Carr.
Sometimes the stress gets to Carr. After a rough game, he decides that he is done with football. The next day he feels better and goes out onto the field again.
Playing college football is hard enough, Carr would never want to be a college coach. He says that it is lots of work and no fun. After Carr's football career is over, he would consider coaching a high school team.
"If Austen plays football in high school, I want to be the coach," said Carr.
Austen's arm already shows potential and Carr would like him to play football when he's older. He would like to be the one to show Austen about football and being a quarterback.
" I joke with my brother that if I'm in the NFL and Austen's high school needs a coach, I'll leave without a problem," said Carr.
Whether a father, student, husband, or coach, David Carr says that right now he is "enjoying life."
