Derek Carr might be retired from football, but his impact in the Central Valley is far from over. The former NFL quarterback and Fresno State icon has just been honored in a way few hometown heroes are.
Derek and Heather Carr Day Proclaimed in Fresno
On Thursday, the City of Fresno paid tribute to the Carr family in a heartfelt ceremony at City Hall.
Mayor Jerry Dyer and councilmembers officially declared June 12 as “Derek and Heather Carr Day” in the city of Fresno, recognizing both Derek’s football achievements and the couple’s long-standing dedication to their community.
A highlight reel played during the event brought the crowd through Derek’s journey, from his Fresno State glory days and NFL Draft moment with the Raiders to his charitable efforts with Valley Children’s Hospital and his final stint with the New Orleans Saints. It all ended with a simple but powerful message: “Welcome Home Carr Family.”
“There was really no decision,” Carr said. “We knew at some point that we were coming back here. It just took our son asking us, ‘Are we gonna keep moving all the time?’ And we were like, you know what, let’s move one more time so you can grow up in one place.”
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The Carrs, now living in Fresno County, have enrolled their kids in homeschooling while they participate in sports at Fresno Christian School. It’s a full-circle moment for a family that’s always kept Fresno close, no matter where football took them.
Derek and Heather Carr’s DC4KIDS Foundation Continues To Impact Fresno Community
While Derek’s on-field résumé includes 35,000+ passing yards and four Pro Bowl nods, it’s the work that he and Heather have done off the field that may prove even more meaningful.
The couple’s nonprofit, DC4KIDS, was launched in 2016 as a way to give back after their son Dallas faced life-threatening intestinal malrotation as a newborn. After 23 days in the NICU and three surgeries, Dallas pulled through and the Carrs never forgot the care they received at Valley Children’s Hospital.
Since then, the organization has provided funding for more than 1.3 million kids across the region, including a $75,000 donation in 2021 that Derek matched personally.
“We could live anywhere in the world,” Carr said during Thursday’s event. “But there was really no decision. We’re coming back home, and we love the Central Valley.”
Though retired, Carr hinted he’d be more than willing to assist Fresno State football moving forward. But for now, he and Heather are focused on building something far greater than stats or Super Bowls.