Good Sports - Derek Carr

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- When the world sees Derek Carr they might see a star NFL quarterback or maybe even an up and coming pop-star. When the Central Valley sees Derek Carr they see a young man who grew up right before their very eyes.

"When David was here and he was 5 years old, he was out there and we were doing drops when he was 5 years old with his nerf football," said Fresno State football head coach Jeff Tedford.

At an early age, Derek knew his destiny was following his brother David and become a Bulldog.

"I just remember watching him play and it was just exciting and fun. I want to come here," said Derek Carr.

"He would be, oh my name's going to be right up there with you and I was like okay let's watch SpongeBob (SquarePants) or something," added brother David Carr.

Then came a pivotal moment for Derek, when he saw David's #8 jersey retired by Fresno State.

"At that moment when I saw his name go up there and I was like 'My name is going up there, I'm going to do that too," said Derek Carr.

Derek found his way to Fresno State and as a freshman was in the running for the starting quarterback position. Although he played a limited role as a freshman, it wasn't long before Derek was a record setting quarterback leading Fresno State to an 11-2 record his senior year... Next up the NFL.

Fast forward four years later, Derek Carr is a superstar and one of the highest paid players in the NFL.

"The exciting thing for me money wise, honestly is that this money is going to help a lot of people. I'm very thankful to have it, that it's in our hands because it's going to help people in this country but a lot of countries around the world. That's what's exciting to me," said Derek Carr.

Whether it's his work with Valley Children's or holding the Carr Elite Camp, Derek is passionate about putting others first.

"When I do something, whether it's playing football, being a husband whatever I do. I want to leave a legacy, I want to leave an imprint, I want to leave my mark," said Carr. "I have a feeling my parents and my brothers have raised me the right way and it's something I want to share."

Something the Central Valley and beyond can look forward to for years to come.