“After Tragic Loss of Grandfather Lloyd Carr, Notre Dame QB Heir CJ Carr Honors His Legacy with Emotional Tribute and Determined Pursuit of Starting Role”
The story of Notre Dame freshman quarterback CJ Carr is one that blends deep personal tragedy with the relentless pursuit of excellence on the football field. For a young man who entered South Bend carrying both the weight of a famous football name and the expectations of being the next in line to lead the Fighting Irish, the months leading up to the 2025 season have been marked by a profound loss that has tested his heart and spirit in ways no game ever could. In February 2025, Carr’s grandfather, Lloyd Carr, the legendary former Michigan coach who led the Wolverines to the 1997 national championship, was killed in a tragic car accident. The news stunned the college football community. Lloyd Carr was more than just a national champion coach—he was a respected leader, mentor, and beloved family man whose influence shaped generations of players and, most importantly, his own grandson. For CJ, who had always looked up to his grandfather not only for his football accomplishments but for the steady moral compass he provided, the loss was devastating. On social media, Carr poured his heart out in a touching tribute that quickly resonated across the football world. “You were my rock; I’ll carry your lessons forever,” he wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photo of the two of them together. It wasn’t just a public message—it was a declaration that the values his grandfather instilled in him would guide his path, both in life and on the field. That kind of resolve is remarkable for someone just 19 years old, yet it is emblematic of the maturity Carr has shown throughout his young career.
CJ’s arrival at Notre Dame was already a storyline worth following. A four-star recruit, Carr committed to the Fighting Irish as one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the nation, carrying on a rich football lineage. While the Carr name is synonymous with Michigan, CJ’s choice to join Notre Dame spoke to his own journey and vision for his career. Now, that decision takes on an even deeper significance, as he carries his family’s football heritage into a program that prizes tradition, resilience, and leadership. Since the tragedy, CJ has leaned heavily on his faith and the strong family bonds that have always been central to his life. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, in addressing the team’s own grieving process following a separate tragedy in New Orleans earlier this year, spoke about the importance of unity, support, and leaning on each other in moments of hardship. Those words have clearly resonated with Carr, who has approached his grief in much the same way—by surrounding himself with people who share his values and who can help him channel his emotions into something meaningful.
One of the most telling aspects of Carr’s character is that this is not the first time he has faced unimaginable loss. Years earlier, his family was forever changed when his younger brother passed away. In honor of his brother’s memory, CJ has been a supporter of the ChadTough Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer. Just this year, he teamed up with fellow Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard at a charity event in Chicago to raise funds and awareness for the cause. That commitment to service, even in the midst of personal grief, speaks volumes about his priorities and the kind of leader he hopes to be. It also connects deeply to the values his grandfather championed—discipline, selflessness, and using one’s platform for good.
As August approaches, the football side of Carr’s journey comes into sharper focus. The Fighting Irish open their season on August 30 against Texas A\&M, and the competition for the starting quarterback role is fierce. Carr is in the thick of that battle, determined to earn the trust of his coaches and teammates. For some freshmen, the challenge of adjusting to the speed, complexity, and pressure of college football is daunting enough without the added emotional weight of personal tragedy. Yet Carr has embraced the grind of offseason training, film study, and practice reps with the same determination that has defined his response to loss. Teammates have described him as composed beyond his years, someone who commands respect in the huddle and maintains poise in high-pressure moments.
The outpouring of support for Carr following his tribute to his grandfather was a reminder that the college football community, though fiercely competitive on Saturdays, is bound by shared respect and empathy. Fans from Notre Dame, Michigan, and beyond flooded his social media with prayers, encouragement, and messages of solidarity. Many called him “a true Irishman,” praising his strength and his willingness to be vulnerable. In an era when athletes are often expected to project nothing but toughness, Carr’s openness about his grief and his unwavering commitment to honoring his grandfather’s legacy have made him a figure that people can rally around.
As the season draws nearer, the parallels between Carr’s personal journey and the identity of Notre Dame football are striking. The Fighting Irish have long been known for their resilience, their ability to rise above adversity, and their dedication to a cause greater than themselves. In many ways, Carr embodies those qualities naturally. He knows that stepping onto the field in the gold helmet carries immense responsibility, not only to his teammates and coaches but also to those who came before him—and to the loved ones who can no longer watch from the stands. For CJ, every pass, every snap, and every moment under center will carry a personal weight. He will play not just for Notre Dame, but for the lessons, love, and example his grandfather gave him.
There is no denying that the road ahead will be challenging. The quarterback position at Notre Dame is one of the most scrutinized in all of college football, and every decision, every throw, every result will be magnified. But CJ Carr has already shown that he possesses the mental toughness and perspective to handle that pressure. The loss of Lloyd Carr has given him an even greater sense of purpose. He understands that his performance on the field is one way to honor his grandfather’s memory, but it is the way he carries himself off the field—his work ethic, humility, and leadership—that will truly reflect the man who helped shape him.
The story of CJ Carr’s 2025 season will inevitably be told through the lens of wins, losses, and statistics. But for those who have followed his journey, the real measure of his success will be found in the quiet ways he lives out his grandfather’s influence. Whether he becomes the day-one starter against Texas A\&M or continues to develop in a supporting role, Carr’s presence at Notre Dame already speaks volumes. He is not just a quarterback in waiting; he is a young man determined to turn heartbreak into honor, tragedy into tribute, and potential into performance.
It is rare to see someone so young navigate such heavy personal and professional challenges with grace, but CJ Carr is proving that he is cut from a different cloth. In the months since his grandfather’s passing, he has become a source of inspiration for fans, teammates, and even those who never met Lloyd Carr but feel the ripple effect of his life through his grandson. That ripple will be visible this fall when CJ steps onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium, the echoes of his family’s football history mixing with the cheers of the Irish faithful. For him, each game will be an opportunity to write a new chapter in a legacy that began long before he was born and that now, through both triumph and tragedy, is firmly in his hands.
As the first kickoff of the season approaches, one can only imagine the emotions CJ will feel—pride, determination, and perhaps a quiet moment of reflection for the man who first taught him what it meant to be a leader. The road to South Bend was already one filled with ambition and expectation. Now, it is also paved with memory, love, and the enduring lessons of a grandfather who left an indelible mark on the game and on his grandson’s heart. CJ Carr’s story is still being written, but already it is one of the most powerful in college football this year—a story of loss and love, of faith and football, and of a young man determined to honor his family’s name not just with his arm, but with his heart.
