The NFL lost a staple name in its league history on Sunday afternoon, as it was announced that legendary quarterback Bart Starr passed away at the age of 85. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback had been dealing with health issues since September of 2014, which is when he suffered two strokes, a heart attack, and several seizures. Since then, his health has gone downhill, as he has survived numerous surgeries and procedures since then. He even overcame a life-threatening bronchial infection in August of 2015, while also breaking his hip last December in a separate setback. He died Sunday in Birmingham, Alabama.
Starr was known for building the Packers' dynasty in the 1960s, winning five NFL Championships as their starting quarterback. He won those titles in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, and 1967. He as also named the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls in NFL history. After dropping the NFL Championship Game to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960, the Packers never lost another postseason game with Starr under center. That includes the famous "Ice Bowl" at Lambeau Field on December 31st, 1967, where the temperature was minus-48, but Starr ran in for the game-winning touchdown and a 21-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys. That sent them to the Super Bowl, where they beat the Oakland Raiders.
The former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide led the league in passing three times, and was the NFL MVP in 1966, all a part of his 16-year NFL career, all of which was spent with the Packers. He finished with 24,718 passing yards and 152 touchdown passes, leading to the Packers retiring his number in 1973. He was the inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973, solidifying the Packers' remarkable decision to take him in the 17th-round of the NFL Draft.
Starr was known for building the Packers' dynasty in the 1960s, winning five NFL Championships as their starting quarterback. He won those titles in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, and 1967. He as also named the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls in NFL history. After dropping the NFL Championship Game to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960, the Packers never lost another postseason game with Starr under center. That includes the famous "Ice Bowl" at Lambeau Field on December 31st, 1967, where the temperature was minus-48, but Starr ran in for the game-winning touchdown and a 21-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys. That sent them to the Super Bowl, where they beat the Oakland Raiders.
The former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide led the league in passing three times, and was the NFL MVP in 1966, all a part of his 16-year NFL career, all of which was spent with the Packers. He finished with 24,718 passing yards and 152 touchdown passes, leading to the Packers retiring his number in 1973. He was the inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973, solidifying the Packers' remarkable decision to take him in the 17th-round of the NFL Draft.
