Raiders QB Carr's rapid ascent providing ‘surreal moments'

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SAN FRANCISCO –- David Carr was playing in a Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament many moons ago, and the then NFL quarterback brought little brother Derek in tow. Derek Carr was in awe of the star power around him, seeing so many people he grew up idolizing from afar.

Derek was a bold kid, unafraid to approach those larger than life buzzing around the golf course. He went up to one athlete he refuses to name – let’s just say it was a big, big star – and was dismissed without a second thought.

That feeling sticks with Derek Carr to this day, and is the reason why the Raiders starting quarterback doesn’t mind interacting with fans regardless of situation.

“I’m fine with it because I would do the same thing if I saw someone I admired or was a fan of,” Carr said in a recent interview with CSNCalifornia.com. “If I was a little kid and I saw Kobe Bryant, there’s a 100-percent chance I would have approached him. I don’t mind fan interactions in public one bit.”

That’s why Carr signed every last autograph at the NFL experience at Moscone Center, exhausting a line that featured roughly 500 people. He took pictures and signed footballs and had conversations with little kids in No. 4 jerseys.

Last week, Derek Carr was a kid again. He spent that time at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, surrounded by players he admired and hoped to call equals someday. After throwing for 3,987 yards, 32 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 91.1 passer rating, he belongs in the league’s upper echelon.

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Carr exudes confidence, with no doubt he belongs. Even so, Pro Bowl week was a pinch-yourself-moment.

“I put the (Pro Bowl) jersey on, and all these guys I grew up watching are wearing the same colors,” Carr said. “Adrian Peterson walks by, and then Julius Peppers. I really tried to remember every moment because I won’t ever have another first Pro Bowl experience again. I don’t think it’ll be my only one, but it’s something I’ve dreamed of and worked for since I was young. Being able to sit there with those guys as colleagues, as my peers, was pretty cool.”

Then something unexpected happened. Carr and Raiders receiver Amari Cooper – one of five locals in the NFL’s all-star game – were conversing on the Team Rice practice field when the quarterback felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Peterson, the NFL’s finest active rusher, asking for a picture with the Raiders’ young guns.

“Amari and I turned to each other and said it seemed a little weird that he wanted a picture with us,” Carr said. “We thought, 'shouldn’t it be the other way around?'"

Not anymore, apparently. The Raiders have a legitimate, respected young core fronted by edge rusher Kahlil Mack and Carr, who has experienced rapid success.

“I’ll say this. It’s not happening faster than I expected but it’s happening fast,” Carr said. “All these accolades are really cool and provide surreal moments, but there’s so much we can get better at. There’s so much we need to work on. I already want this offseason to hurry up so I can get back to work. I’m still striving to be great.”

Carr has noticed a similar drive in those around him. Cooper has that push. So does Mack. Running back Latavius Murray said his 1,000-yard season felt like a disappointment. That gives Carr confidence this group can establish a winning tradition.

“What I’ve learned is that not everybody’s mindset is that way,” Carr said. “What we have in Oakland is special. We have so many guys striving to be great. That’s a blessing, and it shows me that we’re heading in the right direction.”

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