Legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bart Starr died Sunday in Birmington, Albama at the age of 85.
Starr led the Packers to five NFL championships in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967, and was named the Most Valuable Player in the first two Super Bowls.
Starr retired in July 1972. He would later go on to serve as the Packers’ general manager and head coach in 1974, and held the positions for 9 years, going 52-76-3 with one playoff appearance in that span.
Starr has been battling health issues in recent years. He suffered two strokes, a heart attack, and several seizures in 2014 and overcame a life-threatening bronchial infection in August 2015. Starr broke his hip back in December.
“We are saddened to note the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Bart Starr,” read a statement from Starr’s family (h/t ESPN). “He battled with courage and determination to transcend the serious stroke he suffered in September 2014, but his most recent illness was too much to overcome.
“While he may always be best known for his success as the Packers quarterback for 16 years, his true legacy will always be the respectful manner in which he treated every person he met, his humble demeanor, and his generous spirit.”
“The Packers Family was saddened today to learn of the passing of Bart Starr,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy in a statement. “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.”
