The Fascinating Love Story of NFL Star Derek Carr and Wife Heather Neel: A Timeline Worth Discovering
Derek Carr and his wife, Heather Neel, have been together since 2009 and got married in 2012 They have four children and their relationship has grown stronger over the years
Derek Carr and Heather Neel. Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Quarterback Derek Carr's wife, Heather Neel, was a cheerleader in college, but their meeting did not take place on the football field. Instead, while they were both students and athletes at Fresno State in the late 2000s, Carr first saw his future wife when he entered the restaurant where she worked.
Read on to revisit the timeline of Carr and Neel's relationship.
2009
Carr met Neel for the first time while she was waitressing at a restaurant close to their college.
In a 2013 interview with ABC 7, Neel recounted a moment when she had diamond earrings in her ears. She was certain that she had both earrings on, but her now-husband, Carr, pointed out that she was only wearing one. Neel was unimpressed by Carr's pick-up line, but in the end, he won her over. Carr expressed that he knew Neel would be his wife from the moment they first met.
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2012
Three years later, the twosome tied the knot while they were still in college.
2013
Carr led the Bulldogs to the championship during his last year at Fresno State. Although the team had an impressive season, they ultimately suffered a loss to USC in the final. During the same year, Carr and Neel celebrated the arrival of their first child, a son named Dallas Mason. However, Dallas Mason was born eight days ahead of schedule in August and faced complications with his intestines. He underwent three surgeries to rectify the condition.
Courtesy of Heather Neel/Instagram
2014
Carr embarked on his NFL journey after being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders (previously known as the Oakland Raiders).
In May 2014, Neel took to Instagram and enthusiastically exclaimed, "We're #Raiders!!!!," accompanied by a picture of herself and two others wearing hats showing their support for her husband's team.
2016
Neel and Carr expanded their family with the addition of son Deker Luke.
Deker Luke Carr made his entrance into the world last night at 11:22 pm, weighing 9lbs 3oz and measuring 20.75 inches! We are overjoyed and grateful to God for blessing us with a healthy baby boy. Neel shared this news on Instagram in March 2016.
Courtesy of Heather Neel/Instagram
2019
Three years later, Neel gave birth to their third son Deakon Derek. “Welcome Deakon Derek Carr! You are so loved!,” Carr shared in November 2019.
2020
Neel and Carr welcomed their first daughter Brooklyn Mae in November 2020. “We’re in love with our sparkly new Carr ,” Neel penned at the time.
2023
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Following his nine-season stint with the Raiders, Carr's time with the team came to an end in January 2023 when he chose to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. Subsequently, two months later, he joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent.
“To the city of New Orleans — thank you for welcoming my wife and children literally everywhere we have gone,” Carr wrote in a joint post with the Saints in March 2023.
