How Lil Wayne's son, Dwayne Carter III, is carving a path of his own

When Gainesville (Ga.) kicker Dwayne Carter III stepped 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.

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 the reigning GHSA Class 6A state champions.

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.

"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.

"He said yesterday – I didn't know this – but after each kick, he looks for me in the crowd to see my reaction."

"If it's a good kick, she just kind of gives me a smile and like a little head nod," Carter said.