Fresno State Athletics
David Carr Honored at Halftime
9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 1, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - When Pat Hill became Fresno State's head football coach in fall of 1996 he had a plan. He promised to win games and championships. He also wanted to establish an attitude of hard-nosed football and the audacity to play anybody, anytime and anywhere.
To fulfill his promises and attain the highest of goals, Hill hit the recruiting trails hard. Hill found a gem in his first recruiting class, a 6-foot-3 quarterback out of Stockdale High in Bakersfield. That young man was David Carr.
Carr was honored at halftime of Saturday's game for his outstanding career at Fresno State. He will go down as one of the most prolific passers at a school often labeled Quarterback "U". Now, Carr's No. 8 will be one of only six other jerseys to be retired.
"I can still feel the great emotion that comes with playing at Bulldog Stadium in front of wonderful fans," Carr said of Saturday's ceremony. "And although it's a privilege to be honored like this, I still feel like a kid coming to Bulldog Stadium and jumping over the fence to play catch with my dad."
Carr always possessed great physical talent. But his rise to success required patience and a studious mind-set.
In 1999, Carr redshirted after playing his first two seasons as a backup to former standout Billy Volek. During that year, Carr observed intently with his coaches in the press box for every Fresno State football game. He performed as if he were the starter in practices while giving the Bulldog defense a great scout-team quarterback.
Carr waited patiently for his opportunity. He was like volcano waiting to erupt. And in 2001 - after a solid junior year in 2000 - Carr exploded onto the scene. He led the Bulldogs to three straight non-conference wins over Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin, vaulting Fresno State to No. 8 in the national rankings.
"The summer before my senior season I went to an Elite 11 camp," Carr said. "Guys like Carson Palmer and Vince Young were there as well. I thought to myself, if I can be here throwing the ball around with these players than we at Fresno State can play with anybody."
Carr graced the cover of Sports Illustrated twice, once as a Bulldog and once as a Houston Texan after becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2002 NFL draft.
More than six years after his magical senior season, Carr continues to believe that playing football at Fresno State transformed him from a young boy to a man.
"I felt like I played the game the right way," Carr said. "I gave every ounce in my body every time I went out on to the field."
At halftime of Saturday's game, Hill said: "In December of 1996, I made my first recruiting visit as head coach in the Carr home. I'm so glad David made the decision to be a Bulldog."
Fresno State fans are also delighted Carr became a Bulldog. On Saturday evening, Carr expressed gratitude to the Red Wave for all of its support.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you," Carr said. "This is far above anything I could have ever asked for. This is unbelievable!"
