When Gainesville (Ga.) kicker Dwayne Carter IIIstepped onto the field to attempt his first field goal against No. 7 Buford on national television, he wasn’t nervous.
Carter, the son of five-time Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne, knew what it felt like to have the spotlight on him.
This time, though, was different.
The cameras weren’t following him because of his father; they were following him because of what he had done himself.
“Obviously, there have been cameras in my face growing up for different things, but this was like a whole different thing,” Carter said. “It was really exciting because they were talking about me for the reason I wanted to be talked about. They were highlighting what I’ve been working at and that it’s paying off.”
Carter, who transferred to Gainesville from North Atlanta ahead of his senior season, was 2-for-2 on his field goal attempts in the Red Elephants’ 39-19 loss to the Wolves on Saturday, Aug. 22. His first gave them a 3-0 lead over thereigning GHSA Class 6A state champions.
WATCH: Kicker Dwayne Carter, the son of rapper Lil Wayne, went 2-for-2 against No. 1 Buford🔥
— Rivals High School (@RivalsHS) August 25, 2026
Carter attends Gainesville (GA).
(via ESPN)https://t.co/v13N0gtvUG pic.twitter.com/6g7wWthcOv
While Carter’s two younger brothers are following in their father’s footsteps in the music industry, he always knew he wanted to take a different path.
“I’ve been very into sports,” Carter said. “My dad knows that and my brothers know that. They always support me with my sports and they’re always behind me on that.”
That doesn’t mean Carter has stayed completely away from music.
“When we’re just kind of hanging out and stuff as a brother thing, I will make music with them just as a family bonding experience,” he said.
His own path in sports began with soccer. But after repeatedly asking to play football, Carter’s mom, Sarah Vivan, eventually agreed to let him put on a helmet and pads as a sophomore in high school.
There was just one condition.
“Football can get a little crazy; it can get a little violent,” Vivan said. “I really just didn’t want him having concussions or head injuries. But eventually, I understood the passion in wanting to play. So I just kind of did a compromise. ‘If you can promise me you’ll try being a kicker, then I’ll be OK with you playing.’”
Now, it’s pretty clear from watching Vivan in the stands that she’s more than OK with it.
“I am one of those, dare I say, embarrassing moms who likes to coach and yell on the side,” Vivan said.
Carter himself can confirm.
“He said yesterday – I didn’t know this – but after each kick, he looks for me in the crowd to see my reaction.”
How does he know what she thinks?
“If it’s a good kick, she just kind of gives me a smile and like a little head nod,” Carter said.
Carter continues to balance football and soccer, although his future aspirations are on the football field.
“I’ve definitely been really focused on football and hope to continue that path as long as I can,” he said.
He currently holds an offer from Colorado and said other schools have reached out since his Gainesville debut.
College coaches weren’t the only ones who got a closer look at Carter and the Red Elephants on Saturday. His dad also got an inside look at his son’s new team.
“My dad has always been supportive of me,” Carter said. “But when I came to [Gainesville], I don’t think he realized how good the team was or what the opportunity was actually going to entail. When he came to the game and saw SportsCenter Next recording the game and that they were going to a TV break, he was shocked. It was definitely a realization for him.”
Now, the two get to enjoy each other’s passions – even if, for Carter, it sometimes means just hearing his dad’s music through the speakers at practice.
“I kind of just laugh about it and make a joke,” Carter said. “Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of a conversation with somebody and then I’ll hear [his song] come on and I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I know that guy.’”
He can’t pick a favorite album, but “Mr.Carter,” featuring JAY-Z, has to be one of his favorite songs.
“My sister and I, we played it all the time and we will sing it word-for-word,” Carter said.
As the high school football season ramps up, there will be plenty more opportunities for Carter and the Red Elephants to draw attention.
While Gainesville won’t be playing on live television again, Carter is prepared for the spotlight – one he’s earned for himself.
“The cameras are going to be there anyway,” Vivan said. “As long as you stay true to yourself, you know who you are, no matter what anybody says.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Lil Wayne's son, Dwayne Carter III, is carving a path of his own
