CJ Carr Parents: His Father Jason, Mother Tammi and Famous Michigan Football Family
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr has returned to the national spotlight after leading the Fighting Irish to a dramatic 31-24 victory over top-ranked Miami. Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, delivering one of the biggest performances of his college career. Following the game, he revealed that his father, former Michigan quarterback Jason Carr, had challenged him to show greater maturity on the field.
Carr comes from one of college football’s most recognizable families. His parents, Jason and Tammi Carr, both attended the University of Michigan, while his grandfathers, Lloyd Carr and Tom Curtis, are members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Despite those deep connections to the Wolverines, CJ chose to establish his own football identity at Notre Dame.
His family’s story also includes a deeply personal chapter involving his younger brother Chad, whose battle with pediatric brain cancer inspired his parents to establish a charitable foundation.
So, who are CJ Carr’s parents? Here is everything to know about Jason and Tammi Carr, their football backgrounds and the family that helped shape Notre Dame’s quarterback.
Who Are CJ Carr’s Parents?
CJ Carr’s parents are Jason Carr and Tammi Carr, both graduates of the University of Michigan.
Jason played quarterback for the Wolverines during the 1990s, while Tammi grew up in a family with its own distinguished football history.
The couple met while attending Michigan and eventually settled in Saline, a community near Ann Arbor.
They raised three sons: CJ, Tommy and Chad Carr.
Football has remained an important part of their family, but Jason and Tammi have also become known for their work supporting pediatric brain cancer research.
Their experiences as parents have influenced the way CJ approaches competition, responsibility and life beyond sports.
Who Is CJ Carr’s Father, Jason Carr?
Jason Carr is a former University of Michigan quarterback and the son of legendary Wolverines head coach Lloyd Carr.
He played at Michigan from 1992 through 1995, appearing in 20 games during his college career.
Although he primarily served as a backup quarterback, Jason gained experience within one of the country’s most established football programs.
He completed 11 of 23 passes for 114 yards during his Michigan career.
Jason later became closely involved in his sons’ athletic development.
When CJ emerged as a highly recruited high school quarterback, his father helped him navigate the pressures surrounding college football.
Despite his own Michigan background, Jason supported CJ’s decision to attend Notre Dame.
Following Notre Dame’s victory over Miami in November 2026, CJ revealed that his father had challenged him before the game to demonstrate greater maturity than he had shown in their previous meeting.
The conversation reflected Jason’s continuing influence on his son’s development.
Who Is CJ Carr’s Mother, Tammi Carr?
Tammi Carr is CJ Carr’s mother and a prominent advocate for pediatric brain cancer research.
She attended the University of Michigan, where she met her future husband, Jason.
Tammi is also the daughter of Tom Curtis, a former Michigan football player who became one of the most accomplished defensive backs in the university’s history.
Before becoming involved in charitable work, she worked for the University of Michigan.
Her life changed significantly after her youngest son, Chad, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, commonly known as DIPG.
Following Chad’s illness, Tammi became deeply involved in fundraising and supporting families affected by pediatric brain tumors.
She helped establish the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, which raises money for research and treatment development.
Her work has become an important part of the Carr family’s identity.
CJ Carr’s Grandfather Lloyd Carr Is a Michigan Football Legend
CJ Carr’s paternal grandfather is Lloyd Carr, the former head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
Lloyd served as Michigan’s head coach from 1995 through 2007.
He led the program to the 1997 national championship and won five Big Ten titles during his tenure.
His achievements earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Growing up, CJ was surrounded by stories about his grandfather’s coaching career.
Lloyd’s connection to Michigan made CJ’s college recruitment particularly interesting because many expected him to follow the family tradition.
However, Lloyd supported his grandson’s decision to choose Notre Dame.
CJ has explained that his grandfather appreciated the opportunity for him to establish his own identity rather than feeling obligated to attend Michigan.
CJ Carr’s Maternal Grandfather Is Tom Curtis
CJ Carr’s maternal grandfather, Tom Curtis, is another accomplished figure in Michigan football history.
Curtis played safety for the Wolverines from 1967 through 1969.
He became known for his exceptional ability to intercept passes and finished his college career with 25 interceptions.
That total remains a Michigan school record.
Curtis earned consensus All-American honors in 1969 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
He was also selected in the 1970 NFL Draft and later won a Super Bowl championship with the Baltimore Colts.
Having two grandfathers associated with the College Football Hall of Fame makes CJ’s family background particularly unusual.
Their accomplishments helped establish a strong football tradition that continues through the younger generations.
CJ Carr Has Two Brothers, Tommy and Chad
CJ Carr grew up with two younger brothers, Tommy and Chad Carr.
Tommy followed the family’s football tradition and developed into a quarterback.
He eventually joined the University of Michigan, creating an interesting situation in which the brothers represented rival college football programs.
In November 2026, Tommy was named Michigan’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future after helping the Wolverines secure an important victory over Rutgers.
The development meant that Jason and Tammi had sons starting at quarterback for both Notre Dame and Michigan.
Their youngest son, Chad, was born on September 26, 2010.
Chad was diagnosed with DIPG in September 2014, when he was just four years old.
He passed away in November 2015 at age five.
The experience had a profound impact on the family, particularly CJ, who was 10 years old when he lost his younger brother.
Jason and Tammi Carr Founded a Charity in Chad’s Memory
Following Chad’s diagnosis, the Carr family began receiving support from friends, football communities and people across the country.
His illness brought attention to DIPG, an aggressive pediatric brain tumor with limited treatment options.
After Chad’s passing, Jason and Tammi committed themselves to supporting research into the disease.
Their charitable efforts eventually became part of the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation.
The organization raises money for research and works to improve outcomes for children diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors.
Tammi has played a particularly active role in the foundation’s development.
CJ has also spoken about how his younger brother’s experiences changed his outlook on life.
He has a tattoo honoring Chad and has described his brother as an important source of motivation.
The family’s charitable work remains a significant part of their public identity beyond football.
Why Did CJ Carr Choose Notre Dame Instead of Michigan?
CJ Carr’s decision to attend Notre Dame attracted considerable attention because of his family’s connections to Michigan.
He grew up near Ann Arbor, where his father and both grandfathers had established strong relationships with the university.
Michigan was among the schools that recruited him during his high school career.
However, CJ wanted to experience college away from his hometown and create his own football identity.
He committed to Notre Dame in June 2022, choosing the Fighting Irish over several prominent programs.
His parents supported the decision despite their lifelong loyalty to Michigan.
Tammi later explained that the family would always have strong connections to the Wolverines, but CJ deserved the opportunity to choose his own path.
The decision became especially significant when he earned Notre Dame’s starting quarterback position in 2025.
CJ Carr’s Parents Celebrate His Success at Notre Dame
CJ Carr became Notre Dame’s starting quarterback ahead of the 2025 season after winning a competition with Kenny Minchey.
His development attracted attention because he was following experienced quarterbacks who had previously led the Fighting Irish.
By 2026, Carr had established himself as an important part of Notre Dame’s offense.
His performance against Miami on November 7 provided another example of his progress.
Carr completed a standout game with 319 passing yards and three touchdowns as Notre Dame defeated the nation’s top-ranked team.
His father Jason’s pregame challenge became part of the story surrounding the victory.
For the Carr family, the achievement reflected years of athletic development, personal challenges and support.
Today, Jason and Tammi Carr remain central figures in CJ’s life. Their experiences in football, their charitable work and their commitment to family have helped shape the quarterback as he continues building his own legacy at Notre Dame.
