Starting quarterback for the Houston Texans, David Carr, is one of the league’s young rising quarterbacks and was the first pick overall in the 2002 NFL draft.
As a child, David dreamed of playing football for Fresno State University. When he was recruited by UCLA and the University of Washington (along with other schools on the west coast), he chose to fulfill his childhood dream and play for Fresno State instead. He was one of the most successful athletes ever to play for Fresno State and was the starting quarterback during the 2000 and 2001 seasons after redshirting in 1999.
During his collegiate career, David completed 587 of 934 passes for 7,849 yards. He threw 70 touchdowns versus 23 interceptions. He collected many honors and awards during his final college season, most notably the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
In 2002, his first season with the Texans, David didn’t miss a snap, throwing for 2,592 yards—second-most for a rookie quarterback on an expansion team. He also set an NFL record for consecutive starts for an expansion team (23), and he was one of five finalists for the 2002 NFL Rookie of the Year. His contract with the Houston Texans was renewed in February of 2006.
As a Christian, David seeks to share his faith with those he comes into contact, both on and off the field. He speaks regularly in churches and youth groups. His grandfather, who is a pastor, has greatly impacted his life and has encouraged him to use football as a platform for sharing his faith.
David and his wife Melody have three children and live in Sugar Land, Texas.
David Carr “Unplugged”
Our team spent some time with David while shooting for a video project. During that time we talked to him about his life as a Christian athlete. You can see more of David Carr in one of the Bluefish TV video resources on the right.
Bluefish TV: How did you deal with peer pressure during your teenage years?
David Carr: In high school with all the parties going on and being the big football star…there was so much peer pressure to be like the world and I knew that I had something better in mind and I knew that God had something better for me. I guess it takes a stronger person to walk away from the crowd than to walk in it.
Bluefish TV: Who has encouraged you most to be a witness for Christ as an athlete?
David Carr: My grandfather, who is a pastor, told me one day when I was giving my testimony back in California, “You’re going to be able to reach so many more people than I was able to reach in 30 years of preaching, just because you play football, so take advantage of it.”
Bluefish TV: What has been a difficult time in your career?
David Carr: My sophomore year in college I was told that I was going to have to red shirt and sit out. I thought I’d gone to Fresno State to play football and play it well, and then maybe get out of there and go to the NFL quickly and that didn’t happen…I had to sit on the bench, I had to watch from the press box and that was hard for me…but, God was there with me every day when I was working out in the gym…the team was out on the field practicing and I was inside working out to get better.
