Bart Starr, born January 9, 1934, began his football career at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama, during his sophomore year. His junior year he replaced the injured quarterback and found immediate success on the field. In high school he earned all-state honors as a senior quarterback and punter.
Starr accepted a scholarship from the University of Alabama. He became starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide wearing the number 10 as a sophomore. An injury to his back in a hazing incident limited his play his final two years at the University of Alabama.
Despite his limited playing time at the University of Alabama his final two years, the university’s basketball coach Johnny Dee helped Starr find his place in Green Bay. Dee was friends with Jack Vainisi, the Packers Director of Player Personnel. The Packers drafted Starr in the 200th spot of the 1956 NFL Draft. Starr moved to Green Bay with his wife Cherry.
In 1959 the Packers hired Vince Lombardi to be the team’s head coach. Lombardi promoted Starr to starting quarterback that year. Starr and Lombardi would go on to win five NFL Championships including Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. Starr was named Most Valuable Player in both Super Bowls.
Bart Starr’s most famous play had him not throwing but running for a touchdown. It was in the closing moments of the NFC Championship game in December 31, 1967 against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. The game is known as ‘The Ice Bowl.’ The temperature during the game was minus-15 with a wind chill more like minus-50.
With 16 seconds left in the game and the Cowboys up 17-14 it was third and goal from the 1-yard line. Starr called the final timeout to talk with Lombardi. The Packers called a wedge play with Starr keeping the ball instead of handing it off to the running back, and he followed guard Jerry Kramer across the goal line.
The Packers won the first two Super Bowls (known at the time as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, and renamed Super Bowl) with Starr at quarterback. Super Bowl I took place on January 15, 1967. The Packers representing the National Football League defeated the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League, 35-10, in the first-ever AFL-NFL matchup at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Starr completed 16 of 23 passes and was named MVP.
Super Bowl II came two weeks after the Ice Bowl in Green Bay and was played in Miami, Florida in 80-degree weather on January 15, 1968. The Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders of the AFL by a score of 33-14. Starr completed 13 of 24 passed for 202 yards and one touchdown. He earned his second straight Super Bowl MVP award. Super Bowl II would be Lombardi’s last game with the Packers and Starr.
Bart Starr retired from playing following the 1971 season. He had dealt with injuries to his throwing arm. In 1972 he was asked to stay on as the quarterbacks coach under head coach Dan Devine.
When Devine left the team after the 1974 season, the Packers recruited Starr to come back as head coach. Starr would coach the team for nine season, making the playoffs only once during the strike shortened season in 1982.
Bart Starr co-founded the faith-based non-profit Rawhide Boys Ranch in New London in 1965 with John and Jan Gillespie. Rawhide provides residential programs for at-risk and troubled boys to help put them on a positive track.
The Starrs donated time and money to help Rawhide succeed. Starr even donated the 1968 red Corvette he received as Super Bowl MVP to raise money by raffling it off. The car brought in $40,000 at the time.
The Starrs spent 30 years living in the Green Bay area, but even after moving away always considered Green Bay their second home. The Starr family continues to support Rawhide today.
Bart Starr talking about his legacy during an interview with Drew Smith on Inside the Huddle.
Clip of Bart Starr's final TV show December 19, 1983, featuring Johnnie Gray.
Career Statistics | ||||||||
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YEAR | G | ATT | COMP | PCT | YDS | TD | INT | RATING |
1956 | 9 | 44 | 24 | 54.5 | 325 | 2 | 3 | 65.1 |
1957 | 12 | 215 | 117 | 54.4 | 1,489 | 8 | 10 | 69.3 |
1958 | 12 | 157 | 78 | 49.7 | 875 | 3 | 12 | 41.2 |
1959 | 12 | 134 | 70 | 52.2 | 972 | 6 | 7 | 69.0 |
1960 | 12 | 172 | 98 | 57.0 | 1,358 | 4 | 8 | 70.8 |
1961 | 14 | 295 | 172 | 58.3 | 2,418 | 16 | 16 | 80.3 |
1962 | 14 | 285 | 178 | 62.5 | 2,438 | 12 | 9 | 90.7 |
1963 | 13 | 244 | 132 | 54.1 | 1,855 | 15 | 10 | 82.3 |
1964 | 14 | 272 | 163 | 59.9 | 2,144 | 15 | 4 | 97.1 |
1965 | 14 | 251 | 140 | 55.8 | 2,055 | 16 | 9 | 89.0 |
1966 | 14 | 251 | 156 | 62.2 | 2,257 | 14 | 3 | 105.0 |
1967 | 14 | 210 | 115 | 54.8 | 1,823 | 9 | 17 | 64.4 |
1968 | 12 | 171 | 109 | 63.7 | 1,617 | 15 | 8 | 104.3 |
1969 | 12 | 148 | 92 | 62.2 | 1,161 | 9 | 6 | 89.9 |
1970 | 14 | 255 | 140 | 54.9 | 1,645 | 8 | 13 | 63.9 |
1971 | 4 | 45 | 24 | 53.3 | 286 | 0 | 3 | 45.2 |
TOTAL | 196 | 3,149 | 1,808 | 57.4 | 24,718 | 152 | 138 | 80.5 |