Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr just made a choice that’s got the whole college football world buzzing, opting to forge his own path with the Fighting Irish instead of signing with his hometown Wolverines. For a family like the Carrs, whose name has been synonymous with Michigan football since the 1960s, this isn’t just a signing; it’s a rewrite of their entire legacy.
The Wolverine Roots Run Deep For The Carr Men
You can’t talk about Michigan football without talking about the Carrs. CJ’s grandpa, Lloyd Carr, is arguably the most famous member of the family, serving as Michigan’s longtime head coach. Then there’s CJ’s dad, Jason Carr, who was a quarterback for the Wolverines from 1992 to 1995. Jason played in 20 games, primarily as a backup, but he was still a part of that rich Michigan tradition.
Even with that family history, Jason knew CJ wanted to carve out his own destiny away from Ann Arbor. “I knew in the back of my mind, he wanted to go away,” Jason said, according to The Athletic. “As he got into high school and we started seeing football is gonna be a thing for him, we thought maybe you get Michigan to sneak in there a little bit and he changes his mind a little bit. He never did.” Talk about a kid knowing what he wants, right?
And the Michigan ties don’t stop there. CJ’s other grandpa, Tom Curtis, Tammi’s father, played football at Michigan way back in the 1960s. This isn’t just a family that casually rooted for the Wolverines; they built the program!
More Than Football: Tammi Carr’s Incredible Drive
CJ’s mom, Tammi Carr, also comes from a Michigan family. She met Jason while attending the school herself. Even though CJ is heading to Notre Dame, Tammi summed it up perfectly: “We’re always going to be a Michigan family. He’ll always have a place in his heart for Michigan,” she said, also via The Athletic. “But he wanted to go away. Every kid should have that chance, no matter what their last name is.” Preach!
But Tammi’s impact goes far beyond the gridiron. She used to work for the University of Michigan, but she left that job to co-found the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. This incredible foundation honors her youngest son, Chad, who tragically passed away from brain cancer in 2015. “We only started the foundation because there was this demand,” Tammi explained, via the University of Michigan. “There was money and people saying I want to do this and we felt like we had to. I didn’t expect it to grow in five years to this level. I also believe that my son had a job to do and he was inspirational. Sharing his story brought people into the fold and attention to this disease that has had zero.” That’s true inspiration right there.
On top of all that, Tammi also serves as the executive director for the Jones Family Foundation, which provides financial support for “the needs of children’s health, education, and our nation’s veterans.” It’s clear the Carr family’s legacy is about so much more than just football.
What’s Next For The Carr Legacy?
So, the Carr name might still echo through the halls of Michigan, but now, a new, exciting chapter begins in South Bend with CJ leading the charge for the Fighting Irish. You gotta respect a kid who knows his own mind and is determined to forge his own path, even when it means breaking from decades of family tradition. It’ll be fascinating to watch what he does, and how this new branch on the Carr family tree grows!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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