Life comes full circle: He left college football for medicine, now he’s in the Hall of Fame
He played college football, married a cheerleader and went to the NFL. And that’s not the half of Gregg Carr’s life story.
Liam Carter 
It has been 37 years since Gregg Carr last suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers and over four decades since he patrolled the field for the Auburn Tigers. Yet, the memories of his dominance on the gridiron remain as sharp as ever, culminating in a prestigious honor last December: an induction into the College Football Hall of Fame by the National Football Foundation.
A Life of Full Circles
For the 64-year-old Birmingham native, the recognition was a stunning surprise. Carr, a former standout at Woodlawn High School, has transitioned from a lanky athlete to a renowned orthopedic surgeon, proving that his life story is truly a remarkable fairy tale. From the early days of playing water volleyball in Birmingham to reaching the professional level in the NFL, Carr has consistently excelled at every stage.
The Auburn Legacy
Carr’s journey to Auburn was a pivotal chapter. Despite interest from schools like Georgia, Florida State, and Vanderbilt, Carr chose the Tigers, driven by his desire to balance elite athletics with a rigorous engineering degree. Under the intensity of legendary coach Pat Dye, Carr evolved into one of the most formidable linebackers in the program's history. He remains second on the school's all-time total tackles list, having recorded 135 solo tackles during his dominant 1984 senior campaign.
From the Gridiron to the Operating Room
Long before his final whistle, Carr was already planning his future in medicine. Even during his NFL tenure, he balanced his professional football schedule with pre-med coursework at UAB and Birmingham Southern. His marriage to former Auburn cheerleader Juli Barnes became a foundation for his success; together, they built a family and a thriving medical practice.
After completing his residency and a fellowship at The Alabama Sports Medicine Institute, Carr opted for private practice rather than taking on a team doctor role, prioritizing time with their five children. Today, alongside Juli, he manages Southern Orthopedic Specialists in Homewood, dedicating his career to helping patients recover from injuries.
A Lasting Impact
As Carr and his family celebrate milestones—including his daughter Sara’s graduation from the Wharton School of Business—the doctor remains as active and dedicated as ever. Looking back on a career that spans from the high school fields of Birmingham to the College Football Hall of Fame, Carr attributes his success to the same discipline he learned under Coach Dye: set goals, work harder than the competition, and pursue them with everything you have.
