RIP Bart Starr

[SmithOp]

https://www.packers.com/news/packers-legend-bart-starr-dies-at-85

Bart Starr, the first quarterback in history to win five National Football League championships and hero of the most memorable game in the storied history of the Green Bay Packers, died today in Birmingham, Ala. He had been in failing health since suffering a serious stroke in 2014.
Starr, 85, played for the Packers from 1956 to 1971, and was beloved by fans of not only his generation, but also succeeding ones. Along with being a Pro Football Hall of Famer and among a small pantheon of Packers’ all-time greats, he was the franchise’s nonpareil role model in the eyes of many.
Maybe the most popular player in Packers history, Starr will be eulogized for being a consummate professional, a Good Samaritan and an exemplary role model.
“The Packers Family was saddened today to learn of the passing of Bart Starr,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “A champion on and off the field, Bart epitomized class and was beloved by generations of Packers fans. A clutch player who led his team to five NFL titles, Bart could still fill Lambeau Field with electricity decades later during his many visits. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cherry and the entire Starr family.”
As a player, Starr will be remembered for being the only quarterback ever to lead his team to five NFL titles in a decade and for that frozen-in-time moment where he was lying face down under a pile of bodies in the south end zone of Lambeau Field, the hero of the Ice Bowl.


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[slip]

He was a class act!!

 

[Talent312]

Charismatic players in the 60's like him, Jim Brown, Dick Butkus & Johnny Unitas, drew the audience.
One could say that his performance and telegenic personality that made the NFL what it is today.

One ESPN writer calls him the toughest football player ever...
"Starr made the most difficult championship play under the most difficult circumstances in a game that never should have been played. With the ball at the 1-yard line at Lambeau Field, down 3 points to the Cowboys with 16 seconds to go, Starr ignored his frozen hands and body, the subhuman Green Bay conditions (the wind chill was minus-48 degrees), and the fact that he was an aging, athletically-challenged QB who had already been sacked by Dallas 8 times.

"[After calling their last time out and instead of a field goal to tie], Starr asked to keep the ball in a huddle with Lombardi. Lombardi ordered him to push it across the goal line. 'And then let's get the hell out of here,' the coach cried.

Starr scored behind Jerry Kramer's famous block on Jethro Pugh. Afterward his wife was stunned by the severe swelling in his face. No NFL player had ever been asked to give more on a single drive or a single play. Starr would be named Super Bowl MVP for a 2nd straight time."

 

[pedro47]

RIP #15 ...Bart Starr.. Without Bart Starr and the others old football guards between 1957 and the 1980’s of the NFL. There is no NFL..IMHO.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Peter King reflects on Bart Starr's determination, NFL legacy.


https://sports.nbcsports.com/2019/05/27/peter-king-reflects-on-bart-starrs-determination-nfl-legacy/


Richard

 

[pedro47]

Thanks Richard for sharing the Peter King Story.

 

[vikingsholm]

My football fandom started in the years of Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, and Fran Tarkenton. Three of the coolest names, who matched them with their exciting playing.

The Joe Montana and Tom Bradys of their era.

 

[mjm1]

The Packers of the 60’s were my first favorite team as they were for my dad. Bart Starr wasn’t a flashy player, but he executed Lombardi’s offense extremely well. And when it came to the playoffs he rose to the top.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the best results as a head coach after retiring, but the Packer fans loved him anyway, because of what he meant to them, the franchise, and the city.

RIP.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[Carta]

Much respect for Bart; but I can still see him in the ICE BOWL vs my COWBOYS....I still cry when I see it...

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Much respect for Bart; but I can still see him in the ICE BOWL vs my COWBOYS....I still cry when I see it...

Me, too!!