Brandon Carr

Early years

Carr was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. He attended Carman Ainsworth High School. He was a two-way player as a senior, making 53 tackles and 2 interceptions at cornerback, while having 24 receptions, 431 yards, and 4 touchdowns at wide receiver. He was named to the All-conference defensive team at the end of the season. He also lettered in basketball .

College career

At Division II Grand Valley State, Carr played in 49 games, starting 41. He made 206 tackles (147 solo) and 11 interceptions, and defended 39 passes in his college career.

During his sophomore and junior seasons, he helped the Lakers win back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships. In his senior year, he played in all 13 games, posting 45 tackles (33 solo), two interceptions, and defended 13 passes. He received the Defensive Back of the Year honor by Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for his senior season.

Kansas City Chiefs

Carr was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. It was reported that Carr was the only player Herman Edwards was targeting with his fifth-round pick. The Chiefs agreed to a three-year contract with Carr on June 11. As a rookie, he started 14 games at left cornerback and 2 as a nickel corner. He recorded 77 tackles (fifth on the team), 2 interceptions, 6 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries.

In 2009, he was named the starter at right cornerback for all 16 games, posting 60 tackles (2 for loss), one interception, 19 passes defensed, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The next year, he tallied 70 tackles (fifth on the team), 23 passes defensed (led the team), one interception and one fumble recovery.

In 2011, Carr recorded a career-high four interceptions, had a 46% completion rate on plays in which he was involved, and gave up only three touchdowns. On the final play of the Chiefs 2011 season, Carr intercepted a Tim Tebow throw, which ended the game and season, as well as his tenure with the Chiefs. He finished with 58 tackles, 13 passes defensed and a single-season career-best 4 interceptions.

Dallas Cowboys

Entering the 2012 season, the Dallas Cowboys felt that the secondary was the biggest reason they lost games down the stretch and failed to reach the playoffs the previous year. They had just released Terence Newman and weren't sure about Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick as starters.

On March 14, Carr was signed to a five-year contract worth a reported $50.1 million, after being flown in as soon as free agency opened. His contract guaranteed Carr $26.5 million, as well as, included a $10 million signing bonus. His base salary was $1.2 million in 2012, $14.3 million in 2013, $7.5 million in 2014, $8 million in 2015 and $9.1 million in 2016. Although it was a big contract, at the time he was 25 years old and was expected to get even better. The team would also end up selecting cornerback Morris Claiborne in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

On December 16, Carr made an interception in overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers, keeping the Cowboys' playoff hopes alive. He finished the season with 62 tackles, 3 interceptions (led the team) and 11 passes defensed (led the team).

In 2013, he posted with 74 tackles (fourth on the team), 3 interceptions (second on the team) and 17 passes defensed (led the team). On September 8, he had an interception in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants, which he also returned for a touchdown, and helped Dallas win against the Giants at home for the first time since 2008.

In 2014, he struggled as a starter and did not record an interception during the season, although he had 58 tackles (seventh on the team), 12 passes defensed and his only career sack. In the playoffs, he held pro bowler Jordy Nelson to 2 receptions for 22 yards in the divisional round loss to the Green Bay Packers. The next year, he registered 71 tackles (sixth on the team), 8 passes defensed (third on the team), 2 quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery.

On April 25, 2016, he agreed to a one-year pay cut from $9.1 million to $4.25 million plus incentives, in order to remain with the Cowboys for the final season of the five-year contract he signed in 2012. He was also moved from the left to the right side of the defense, with Morris Claiborne playing left cornerback. He responded by having arguably his best season with the team, while often covering the opponent's best receiver and registering 61 tackles, 9 passes defensed and one interception. His interception against the New York Giants ended a 36 games drought, going back to November 28, 2013, against the Oakland Raiders.

Though there were critics that felt his production never matched his contract, in five seasons with the team, he appeared in 83 contests (including playoffs) and never missed a game or a start. He also registered 315 tackles, 45 pass defensed, and 7 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns).

Baltimore Ravens

On March 16, 2017, Carr signed a four-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Personal life

In December 2012, Brandon launched the Carr Cares foundation. The Carr Cares Foundation focuses on educational enrichment and physical fitness for youth. The foundation is currently in the process of creating tutoring and mentorship programs, in addition to implementing physical fitness curriculums in the states of Texas and Michigan.