Derek Carr writes about Rookie Symposium experience

Jun 17, 2014; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass at minicamp at Raiders Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders second round draft pick Derek Carr may not have attended the NFLPA Rookie Premiere as fifth overall pick Khalil Mack was the only Oakland player to attend the event for the NFL’s biggest stars out of the draft, but while at the NFL Rookie Symposium Carr has taken the time to make the most out of the event.

The four-day mandatory event for all rookies taking place this week in Ohio, helps cover “NFL 101” teaching first year players about player expectations and social responsibility along with breakout sessions on financial planning, locker room conduct and off-the-field situations.

Carr took the time to make a post on Sportsblog.com to talk about his experience at the symposium, noting that having an older brother who was a first overall draft pick had him coming in with expectations of what the NFL life is like that helped him out at the symposium.

From Carr’s blog:

"The Rookie Symposium is one of those things where you are going to get out of it what you put into it. I’m putting in my full effort, whatever I can take from here to be a better football player, a better husband, a better Dad, a better Christian…whatever I can do to be better. If it’s one quote or even one word that sticks with me, and it makes me better, then that’s what I’m looking for.Having an older brother (David Carr) who played in the NFL has helped prepare me. He’s talked to me about what he’s been through and how he handled things. He told me to make sure I don’t get pulled in a whole bunch of different directions and to remember why you are there because as soon as you start going off in other directions and not studying as much as you should, those interviews and all of those other things stop when you stop completing passes.Now that I’m going through it, it’s nice to know a little bit going in, but I’m still eager to gain knowledge in whatever area I can. There are things that I’d like to learn more about."

Carr’s character was a huge reason that the Raiders were high on him leading up to the 2014 Draft, with reports surfacing about the Raiders front office doing their homework on the highly touted Fresno State star as far back as during December when the team was out of the playoff race. A career driven family man with NFL bloodlines at quarterback, Carr has done everything right at this stage of his career. A player who may not need a Rookie Symposium thanks to the first hand experiences of an older brother who has helped him develop into an NFL player himself, Carr’s positive attitude towards the event shows just the type of personality he has. Something that NFL team’s covet, especially Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie.

You can read the rest of Carr’s blog post on Sportsblog.com here