Big roars at Michigan Stadium for ailing Chad Carr, 4

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Just before Michigan started its season Saturday, all eyes focused on the middle of the field.

There were two College Football Hall of Famers out there former U-M coach Lloyd Carr and safety Tom Curtis but the eyes were on the smallest person: 4-year-old Chad Carr.

Chad was diagnosed with DIPG, and inoperable brain tumor, on Sept. 23, 2014, and has spent the past year fighting it.

The family has tried experimental medicines as they approach the end of the doctors’ anticipated projection of 9-12 months.

Saturday was a unique experience as the capacity crowd roared at their introduction, as the immediate family and grandparents took the field.

The family, including Chad’s older brothers Tommy and C.J., attended a U-M practice earlier this week and now were a part of the Michigan-Oregon State opener, at coach Jim Harbaugh’s invitation.

“Coach Harbaugh, I can remember a year or so ago, he called me and let me know he was thinking about Chad and his family was praying for him,” Lloyd Carr, Chad’s grandfather, said Saturday morning. “Almost from the beginning of his diagnosis, Jim and all the Michigan people and people all across this country have embraced this kid and it’s really been a source of strength for our family, particularly for Tammi and Jason, his mom and dad, his two brothers, Tommy and C.J. Prayers and letters and the outreach, it has changed our lives and it is for me, more than anything, this little boy has taught me to appreciate every day.”

The ChadTough foundation, created by the family to fund research and raise awareness on pediatric brain tumors, will hold a fundraising run on Oct. 3 at Harvest Elementary in Saline Mich.

But the connection to Michigan football is what is providing the most exposure.

“Those kids, their dad played here under coach (Gary) Moeller and his wife (Tammi) went to Michigan,” Lloyd Carr said. “His other grandfather, Tom Curtis, is a College Football Hall of Famer. So we’re pretty embedded in this tradition.”

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