Fresno State Athletics
Derek Carr: An Inspiration to local Bulldogs
8/31/2017 3:30:00 PM | Football
Former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr made a huge impact on a current group of 'Dogs who are eagerly anticipating seeing Carr's number four Bulldog jersey retired at halftime of Saturday's season-opener against Incarnate Word.
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future."
That verse is tattooed on the left wrist of Fresno State football legend Derek Carr that was inspired by his grandfather that God had a plan for his life.
Putting his trust in the Lord, Carr began to live his life to serve others in all that he did. Whether it is with his wife Heather, sons Dallas and Deker, Oakland Raiders teammates or friends and family, Carr is about serving others.
It is his great passion for God and serving others along with his strong leadership, enthusiasm and love for the game of football that makes him a great role model for young athletes everywhere to grow up and aspire to be like.
Entering his fourth season with the Oakland Raiders this fall after a legendary career at Fresno State, Carr served as an inspiration to a current group of local 'Dogs who looked up to him during their high school days in the Fresno/Clovis area.
Fourth-year junior running back Dejonte O'Neal, third-year sophomores Jasad Haynes and Frank Dalena, sophomore running back Josh Hokit and freshman quarterback Brent Bailey, all local high school products, remember Carr's days in a Bulldog uniform fondly.
O'Neal, a 2014 graduate of Bullard High School in Fresno, remembers his time attending games at Bulldog Stadium, "When we used to come to Fresno State games, the stadium was always full and there was a lot of excitement. I distinctly remember the game against Boise State in 2013, there wasn't a seat open, and he was delivering the ball to Davante Adams, Josh Harper and Isaiah Burse and that brought a lot of juice and excitement to the area."
Dalena, who graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School in 2015, also remembers that contest against Boise State as the moment when he realized how electrifying college football is and how much joy and excitement Carr and Bulldog football brought to the community.
Still a young kid just learning the quarterback position and being introduced to football, Bailey, who recently graduated from Clovis North in May, remembers seeing Carr work out at Terrio Physical Therapy and Fitness and always saw him competing, grinding and really looked up to him. "I was always in awe of how much effort and enthusiasm he brought every day," added Bailey.
A Bulldog quarterback from 2009-2013, Carr put together a storybook career, leaving as the program's career leader in passing yards (12,842), touchdowns (113), completion percentage (66.6) and career total offensive yards (13,032), among the 27 school records he set during his time as a Bulldog.
Despite all the records and accolades he amounted on the field, it was the way he led the 'Dogs to a pair of Mountain West championships in 2012 and 2013 and conducted himself off the field that made a permanent impression on the current group of 'Dogs. It drove them to want to pursue their dreams of becoming Bulldogs.
"Going to the football games when Derek Carr was playing and seeing the stadium sold out, that really inspired me and made me want to be a Bulldog, he really took Bulldog football to the next level," said Hokit who graduated from Clovis High School in 2016.
"As a football player and a Christian, he is really someone I aspire to be like. It is humbling that he stays close to his roots and family and gives back as much as he does," added Hokit.
Haynes, a defensive tackle who came to Fresno State as a walk-on after graduating from Clovis North High School in 2015, credits Carr for making him a Bulldog, "Seeing him and his teammate Nikko Motta, who was one of my coaches at Clovis North, they paved the way for me wanting to stay home and represent the Bulldogs."
Dalena saw what Carr was all about and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps, "Seeing how Derek Carr led the team shows just how special he really is and how much he values God, family and football, I think those are some of the most important things there are in life and he is a great example of a strong Christian."
Becoming only the seventh Fresno State football player ever to have his number retired in the 95-year history of the program, being a current student-athlete and getting to witness history first-hand at Saturday's special game is certainly not lost on the current 'Dogs.
"For me to be able to tell my children and grandchildren that I was a player when they retired Derek Carr's jersey, that is something I will always have with me. He is truly Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred," says O'Neal on the significance of Sept. 2.
Dalena knows Fresno State football is a family affair for the Carr's and sees how special it is for Derek to join his brother in elite company, "Having his brother David set the bar before him and to see him able to surpass him and to have two brothers have their numbers retired in the same program, that is amazing and I am so glad he was able to achieve it. I am very proud to be a part of this Bulldog family and a program that features people like the Carr brothers."
Hokit notes how special it will be from now on that whenever current student-athletes or future 'Dogs walk down the ramp at Bulldog Stadium, they will always see the No. 4 on the wall.
"Every time we walk into Bulldog Stadium and see that we will always remember the legacy he left on Fresno State football."
It is that legacy of serving others along with his remarkable leadership, loyalty, enthusiasm and a desire to be great that led Carr to achieve unprecedented success during his time at Fresno State.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
That verse is tattooed on the left wrist of Fresno State football legend Derek Carr that was inspired by his grandfather that God had a plan for his life.
Putting his trust in the Lord, Carr began to live his life to serve others in all that he did. Whether it is with his wife Heather, sons Dallas and Deker, Oakland Raiders teammates or friends and family, Carr is about serving others.
It is his great passion for God and serving others along with his strong leadership, enthusiasm and love for the game of football that makes him a great role model for young athletes everywhere to grow up and aspire to be like.
Entering his fourth season with the Oakland Raiders this fall after a legendary career at Fresno State, Carr served as an inspiration to a current group of local 'Dogs who looked up to him during their high school days in the Fresno/Clovis area.
Fourth-year junior running back Dejonte O'Neal, third-year sophomores Jasad Haynes and Frank Dalena, sophomore running back Josh Hokit and freshman quarterback Brent Bailey, all local high school products, remember Carr's days in a Bulldog uniform fondly.
O'Neal, a 2014 graduate of Bullard High School in Fresno, remembers his time attending games at Bulldog Stadium, "When we used to come to Fresno State games, the stadium was always full and there was a lot of excitement. I distinctly remember the game against Boise State in 2013, there wasn't a seat open, and he was delivering the ball to Davante Adams, Josh Harper and Isaiah Burse and that brought a lot of juice and excitement to the area."
Dalena, who graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School in 2015, also remembers that contest against Boise State as the moment when he realized how electrifying college football is and how much joy and excitement Carr and Bulldog football brought to the community.
Still a young kid just learning the quarterback position and being introduced to football, Bailey, who recently graduated from Clovis North in May, remembers seeing Carr work out at Terrio Physical Therapy and Fitness and always saw him competing, grinding and really looked up to him. "I was always in awe of how much effort and enthusiasm he brought every day," added Bailey.
A Bulldog quarterback from 2009-2013, Carr put together a storybook career, leaving as the program's career leader in passing yards (12,842), touchdowns (113), completion percentage (66.6) and career total offensive yards (13,032), among the 27 school records he set during his time as a Bulldog.
Despite all the records and accolades he amounted on the field, it was the way he led the 'Dogs to a pair of Mountain West championships in 2012 and 2013 and conducted himself off the field that made a permanent impression on the current group of 'Dogs. It drove them to want to pursue their dreams of becoming Bulldogs.
"Going to the football games when Derek Carr was playing and seeing the stadium sold out, that really inspired me and made me want to be a Bulldog, he really took Bulldog football to the next level," said Hokit who graduated from Clovis High School in 2016.
"As a football player and a Christian, he is really someone I aspire to be like. It is humbling that he stays close to his roots and family and gives back as much as he does," added Hokit.
Haynes, a defensive tackle who came to Fresno State as a walk-on after graduating from Clovis North High School in 2015, credits Carr for making him a Bulldog, "Seeing him and his teammate Nikko Motta, who was one of my coaches at Clovis North, they paved the way for me wanting to stay home and represent the Bulldogs."
Dalena saw what Carr was all about and knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps, "Seeing how Derek Carr led the team shows just how special he really is and how much he values God, family and football, I think those are some of the most important things there are in life and he is a great example of a strong Christian."
Becoming only the seventh Fresno State football player ever to have his number retired in the 95-year history of the program, being a current student-athlete and getting to witness history first-hand at Saturday's special game is certainly not lost on the current 'Dogs.
"For me to be able to tell my children and grandchildren that I was a player when they retired Derek Carr's jersey, that is something I will always have with me. He is truly Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred," says O'Neal on the significance of Sept. 2.
Dalena knows Fresno State football is a family affair for the Carr's and sees how special it is for Derek to join his brother in elite company, "Having his brother David set the bar before him and to see him able to surpass him and to have two brothers have their numbers retired in the same program, that is amazing and I am so glad he was able to achieve it. I am very proud to be a part of this Bulldog family and a program that features people like the Carr brothers."
Hokit notes how special it will be from now on that whenever current student-athletes or future 'Dogs walk down the ramp at Bulldog Stadium, they will always see the No. 4 on the wall.
"Every time we walk into Bulldog Stadium and see that we will always remember the legacy he left on Fresno State football."
It is that legacy of serving others along with his remarkable leadership, loyalty, enthusiasm and a desire to be great that led Carr to achieve unprecedented success during his time at Fresno State.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
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