Picture this: a kitchen scene that could rival any sitcom. CJ Carr, star high school quarterback, stands in the midst of post-school hunger pangs, searching for a snack. Little does he know, a verbal jab from his mischievous grandpa, none other than former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, is about to come flying his way. With a smirk on his face, Lloyd asks, 'You wearing that sweatshirt?' CJ, not one to back down, grins back at his grandfather, donning a green sweatshirt proudly displaying the words 'Notre Dame' in white.
Now, CJ Carr finds himself on the cusp of signing a national letter of intent with none other than the Fighting Irish themselves. But hold on, this story is far from ordinary. You see, CJ comes from a lineage filled with football legends. Both of his grandfathers, Lloyd Carr and Tom Curtis, are inductees of the College Football Hall of Fame. Talk about some serious football genes! Oh, and let's not forget CJ's late brother, whose battle with brain cancer inspired a foundation that has already funded an astounding $27 million in research.
Last year, CJ's decision to pledge his football allegiance to Notre Dame caused quite the commotion. Against all odds, he chose to steer clear of the comfort of playing for his hometown team, the Michigan Wolverines, despite his father, Jason, having once been a backup quarterback for the very same team. But in CJ's eyes, it was time to spread his wings, venture further from home, and embark on a new journey. So, off he went to South Bend, Indiana, to join the Fighting Irish for their Sun Bowl practices, feeling a sense of homecoming like no other during his visit.
In fact, CJ was so captivated by the spirit of Notre Dame that he canceled planned visits to football powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. The announcement to his family left them astounded and proud in equal measure. Lloyd Carr recalls the moment, saying, 'I said, 'C.J., what do you think?' And he said, 'Papa, I'm going to Notre Dame.' His dad was standing there, and his dad said, 'Hey, wait a minute. You got a lot of things to look at and think about.'' But CJ had made up his mind, and those closest to him gave their unwavering support. As Lloyd Carr wisely puts it, 'I told everybody, 'If he's happy, I'm happy.''
As we delve deeper into CJ Carr's story, it's impossible to ignore the weight he carries on his young shoulders. Since 2015, CJ has faced the immense loss of his youngest brother, Chad, to a rare and inoperable form of brain cancer. However, instead of being consumed by grief, CJ and his family, including his mother Tammi and brother Tommy, have transformed their pain into a powerful force for change. Together, they founded the ChadTough Foundation, which aims to fund research and support families affected by diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Through their tireless efforts, they've provided funding for researchers across 35 institutions and have made strides in fighting this devastating disease. Chad's memory lives on in CJ's heart, with a cross tattooed on his right wrist, serving as a constant reminder of the younger brother who inspired so much love and resilience.
But here's the million-dollar question: will Lloyd Carr be sporting the Fighting Irish gear when his grandson takes the field against one of Michigan's long-standing rivals? With a hearty laugh, he jokingly responds, 'What kind of question is that?' before adding, 'Well, I'll be cheering for Notre Dame when C.J. Carr's on the team. I'm proud of him. I'm proud of the choice he made.'
So, as CJ Carr prepares to sign that national letter of intent and embrace his future with Notre Dame, we can't help but applaud his unwavering spirit and determination to carve his own path. With legendary football blood running through his veins and the memory of his brother propelling him forward, CJ is ready to make his mark on the college football stage. And when he does, he won't just be a player representing a team, but a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of family.
Signing off, Larry Lage
