Fresno State Athletics
David Carr Talks Bulldog Football
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 31, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - It's only happened five times previously in the 85-year year history of Fresno State. Saturday night, Fresno State will retire the jersey of former Bulldog great David Carr during the season opening game against Sacramento State.
Carr is one of the best quarterbacks in a long line of great Bulldog players. As a senior in 2001, he led the Dogs to a No. 8 national ranking, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, and was the nation's top quarterback throwing for more than 4,800 yards and 46 touchdowns.
When he left Fresno State, he owned school records for career touchdown passes (70), most passing yards in a season (4,839), most touchdowns in a season (46), and threw for the second-highest yardage total in NCAA history in a bowl game (531 vs. Michigan State).
As a senior, he won the Johnny Unitas Award, the Pop Warner Award and the Sammy Baugh Award, and was selected by The Football News as the National Offensive Player of the Year. He finished fifth in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy and in 2002 was the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL Draft by the expansion Houston Texans. He spent five years as the starting quarterback in Houston and was the face of that franchise. He set several NFL records in his five seasons. Earlier this summer he signed with the Carolina Panthers.
It will be the sixth football jersey retirement in Fresno State football history. Others include quarterback Trent Dilfer (No. 12); receiver Henry Ellard (No. 83), running back Dale Messer (No. 21), kicker Vince Petrucci (No. 14) and quarterback Kevin Sweeney (No. 9).
Carr will be joined by nearly 80 family members and close friends from all over the Valley, many coming from his hometown of Bakersfield.
"We are very happy to have David back in Bulldog Stadium," said head coach Pat Hill. "David did a lot for Fresno State and Fresno State did a lot for David Carr. We are thrilled that he could make it out here. I know it means a lot to our fans, our program and the university to have David and Melody back on campus."
Leading up to Saturday's ceremony, Carr spent time with Gobulldogs.com to talk about what the jersey retirement means for him, his life in the NFL and one of his favorite subjects, Bulldog fans.
Gobulldog.com What are your favorite memories of playing at Fresno State?
David Carr "The first thing I remember about my time at Fresno State is the color red. Seeing red everywhere was amazing. I've been in a lot of stadiums around in the country in college and the NFL and nowhere I've been has a setting like that. To walk down the ramp and see that sea of red is special and I'll never forget that. We had a lot of success and I'll always remember the guys I played with and some of the big games we won."
Gobulldog.com What does it mean to you to have your jersey retired?
David Carr"Every since I was in junior high I used to dream of playing at Bulldog Stadium. I used to go down and play on the field with my Dad and brother, so I always wanted to play there. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine anything like this would happen or that my name would be up there with Dilfer and Sweeney and Ellard and all of the greats. That never crossed my mind. I'm certainly very thankful and blessed to have this honor."
 | "My family and I are really grateful to everyone in Fresno for the way we were treated. The Bulldog fans are the greatest." David Carr |
Gobulldog.com What has life been like for you and your family since leaving Fresno State?
David Carr"It's been amazing. God has blessed us with so many wonderful things. I have a great wife and three great boys. I've been able keep playing the game of football, a game that I love and be able to provide for my family. We have met so many great people and made wonderful friends in Houston and now Charlotte. The last five years were tough at times from a football standpoint and I'm so thankful to be with an organization and in a situation that's so much better. It's like night and day from Houston. Being the No. 1 pick was great feeling, but there's a reason someone has the No. 1 pick. We are in a great situation right now and I thank the Lord everyday for all of the blessings I have."
Gobulldog.com Coach Hill said you were his first and most important recruit. What did he say that convinced to come to Fresno State?
David Carr "The way he came into our home sealed it for me. He was straight forward. He just got off a plane from Baltimore and his duffel bag was all taped up, but he came in and didn't try to `wow' me. He said we are going to play tough, hardnosed football. We are going to play a tough non-conference schedule and the games would be on the road. I like that. He made it an easy decision for me."
Gobulldog.com What kind of a coach was Coach Hill to play for?
David Carr "He is hands on with everything in the program. I loved that. You know Richard Marshall (former Bulldog cornerback and current Carolina Panther) and I talk about that all the time, how Coach Hill was always down in the drills with you. He would try to teach you and if what he said didn't work, he got down in there and showed you. I remember taking snaps from him one practice. What head coach does that? He's really involved in everything. It was a great experience playing for him."
Gobulldog.com While you were in college, you married Melody and had Austin. How did that change your life as a person and did it help you become a better football player?
David Carr "It made me realize that I wasn't playing for myself. I was playing for my family. I really had a great experience. With her and my belief in God, I knew I could accomplish anything. When I got done with a tough day and would come home and see Melody and Austin, it made everything seem right."
Gobulldog.com Rumor has it you, your brother (Darren) and dad (Roger) used to climb the fence to Bulldog Stadium after hours to get on the field to play pick-up games. What will be going through your mind when you see your name on the press box?
David Carr "I'll never forget when my little brother Darren, whose not little anymore, got stuck on the fence. It was pretty funny. It was crazy. He still has scars to prove it. Yeah, we used to love coming down there and playing like the Bulldogs. It's really unbelievable to be able to play there in front of the great fans. So, yeah I'll be thinking about all of that on Saturday. It's going to be a lot of fun."
Gobulldog.com Where do you see yourself in the next 10-15 years?
David Carr "I hope to be a good husband and be a good father raising these three boys. I feel like I can play this game another 10 years...at least. I'm really excited about the future and what we have going on here in Carolina. I have a lot to be thankful for but a lot to look forward to. I don't know what life after football will hold. I haven't thought much about that, but raising my family is the most important goal."
Gobulldog.com What would you like to say to Bulldog football fans?
David Carr "Thank you doesn't do it justice. My family and I are really grateful to everyone in Fresno for the way we were treated. The Bulldog fans are the greatest. I play in a charity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe every year and I see so many fans from Fresno who come up and ask for autographs. They talk about coming to our games and watching us play. It's nice to know they care like they do. That's a great feeling and I'll never forget my time as a Bulldog."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State Football team opens the season at home on Saturday, September 1st for David Carr Day against Sacramento State at 7 p.m. Tickets are available NOW at by clicking the tickets icon at the top of this page, by phone at 559-278-DOGS or in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office.
