There are certain times of the year that just feel different. For me, nothing compares to the excitement that builds as football season gets closer. The anticipation begins in late summer, preseason storylines start filling the headlines, fantasy football drafts begin taking over weekends, and before you know it, Saturdays and Sundays will once again belong to football.
This year is especially meaningful for my family. College football has always been special to us, but this season brings something we’ve dreamed about for a long time. My nephew, C.J. Carr, enters his second season as the starting quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after an outstanding campaign that has many analysts mentioning his name in early Heisman Trophy conversations. Watching him continue his journey has been incredible, and like everyone who has followed his career, I’m hoping he stays healthy, enjoys another tremendous season, and positions himself for the NFL Draft.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. My younger nephew, Tommy Carr, begins his freshman season at the University of Michigan, stepping into the backup quarterback role behind one of the nation’s most highly touted young quarterbacks, Bryce Underwood. While Tommy may not see a tremendous amount of playing time this season, every snap will be worth watching. The experience he’ll gain practicing every day and learning the college game will be invaluable, and I can’t wait to see him take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way.
Tommy’s story is one of football tradition and family legacy. His grandfather, Tom Curtis, is a College Football Hall of Fame safety who starred at the University of Michigan. His other grandfather, legendary coach Lloyd Carr, guided the Wolverines for more than a decade and led Michigan to a national championship. His father, Jason Carr, also quarterbacked the Wolverines, and my sister, Tammy Carr, attended the University of Michigan as well. That’s a remarkable family history, and now Tommy has the chance to write the next chapter.
One of the highlights of my fall will be taking my son, Matty, to South Bend to watch C.J. and Notre Dame take on Stanford. It’s a special trip for us, especially since Stanford has become Matty’s dream school. Those are the kinds of memories that football creates.
As much as I love college football, I’ve always considered myself an NFL guy. There’s just something about knowing Sundays in the fall are almost back. Whether you’re cheering from the stadium, your couch, or your favorite neighborhood sports bar, the NFL has a way of bringing people together.
Of course, fantasy football is part of that tradition. I’ve been playing fantasy football for years. Some of my leagues are filled with lifelong friends, while others include people I’ve competed against for so long that it feels like we’ve known each other forever, even though we’ve never actually met. Every season brings new rivalries, bold predictions, questionable trades, and plenty of friendly trash talk. Even better, my son now plays in a couple of leagues with me, making fantasy football another tradition we get to enjoy together.
People always ask for draft advice, and mine hasn’t changed much over the years. If one of the elite wide receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, or CeeDee Lamb falls farther than expected, don’t overthink it. Grab him. But if the board plays out the way it usually does, I’ve always believed in building a team from the running back position. My strategy has traditionally been running back, running back to begin the draft. Elite running backs become scarce quickly, and having two dependable backs gives your roster a strong foundation for the long season ahead.
If your league is still looking for the perfect place to hold its draft, Uncle Hanks’ Hideaway (78 Canal ST. Miami Springs.) We are ready to host your draft. Call 786-391-2970 today. Great food, cold drinks, plenty of TVs, and an atmosphere built for football make it the perfect place to kick off the fantasy season with your league mates.
As for my Miami Dolphins, optimism always comes easy this time of year. This is a young team with plenty to prove. There are questions to answer, and consistency will be the biggest challenge. I think this season has the potential to be a competitive one, and while I see the Dolphins finishing somewhere around 500. There are enough talented young players to make every Sunday worth watching.
No matter which team you root for, football season has a way of bringing people together. Families gather around the television, friends reconnect over fantasy football, old traditions continue, and new memories are made. The countdown is on. Here’s to packed stadiums, crisp Saturday afternoons, unforgettable Sunday finishes, fantasy football victories, and another season of celebrating the greatest game on earth. Football is almost here, and I couldn’t be more excited.
