Last night was the culmination of many years of waiting for Packer great Brett Favre to show his face
once more and be seen by the masses of Packernation. But lost in the pomp and circumstance of Brett Favre’s induction ceremony was a short video that I just caught this morning. It was another great Packers quarterback and another quarterback whose face Packernation had not seen in a long time. This man had taken the team on his back on the Frozen Tundra too. And when it was time to honor Brett Favre, though he could not be present at Lambeau, he made a statement to honor Brett like any true member of a team, champion, and a true gentleman would.
Bart Starr, five-time champion and hero of the Ice Bowl had scarcely been heard from since he suffered a stroke in the Fall of 2014. As hard as it was to not know how he was doing, Packernation honored his need for privacy as he healed. We all love Bart Starr and to know that he was going through such a difficult rehab and was unable to attend the ceremony at Lambeau was sad. So to me, the video that showed another beloved quarterback of this great team, looking quite well and speaking quite clearly giving credit to another inductee of the Packers Hall of Fame, was just as touching and emotional as the ceremony itself.
It was good to see you, Bart, if only for a little bit. We wish you well and a full recovery and many long and happy years to come.
Feel free to give your well-wishes to Bart in the comments below or back on the Facebook Fanpage. And if you didn’t see the video, check it out here.
Whenever I hear people, announcers, tv hosts etc ask about the best qb ever my thoughts and memories go directly to Bart Starr. His stats may not be the same but when you look at victories and championships there is no other qb that I would want for my team. Also as a father and grandfather I am always glad to have a gentleman like Bart to point my sons and grandsons to.
Awesome Jerry. I think Bart’s FIVE championships says a lot about him. And I totally agree that he is a gentleman! I was so glad to see how well he is doing.
Bart Starr. Pray we will see Thanksgiving Day. Complete recovery for
I agree about Bart. Even though I am from Louisiana, I’m a Packer fan because of him. When I was just nine, I read the autobiography in elementary school and from that point I have and always will support the Pack. Yeah I get teased a lot being down here, but I just remind them of who has more world championships.
Thats right Danny! Way to represent!
Bart Starr is THE REASON I am a Packer fan. I saw him in an interview when I was a kid and decided THAT was the kind of person I could like in football.
Having grown up in Chicago, I come from a Family full of ‘Bears’ fans. My Uncle Bob, who I always thought was ‘The Coolest’ was a ‘Packer Backer’, so I jumped on his side when family was together (usually on Sundays @ Grandma & Grandpas) and the famous rivalry was on. #15 – Bart Starr- was considered “The Best” QB in the league by Uncle Bob, and the rest of the family had a hard time convincing me that anyone the Bears would put against “The Pack” could even hold a candle to the way he played. Mr. Starr, you’re forever in our hearts as “The Best of the Best”. Wishing you a Speedy, Full and Uncomplicated Recovery!
Wishing you the best in your rehab to get better.
It’s a hard road but you can do it!!! Miss seeing you at games. You are so PACKER!!
God Bless, Barb
The appearance of Bart Starr last night was not lost on me Brady. In fact, amid all the pomp, it was the highlight of the night for me. I’ve been a Packer fan from Delaware for 52 years because of Mr. Starr and the the great players of the Lombardi era. In short, he’s my all time idol. There is not a better person on the face of the earth, and seeing him in such good spirits last night made my day. Thanks for writing this piece Brady.
Bart Starr is the reason I am a Packer fan. I lived in WI for three years and enjoyed my trip to Green Bay to see the stadium and the Packer Hall of Fame. (I think that’s what it’s called!) I pray Mr. Starr has a complete recovery. He was an awesome quarterback!
Twitter: GPN_JR
Lambeau Field is an incredible place and Bart is an incredible man.
I was born and raised in NJ but have always been a Packer fan…mainly because of Bart Starr. What an honorable sportsman, leader, teammate. I idolized him growing up…wore his number on every high school team I played on…even played QB because of him. I pray for his successful rehab and continued good health. The man has so much to offer…Thank you, Bart and a big GET WELL from NJ!! Stay strong!
Twitter: GPN_JR
I bet you wore that number with pride. :). I had to wear Jim McMahon’s number.
Bart, you will always be the best, keep up the hard work, hope to see you in Nov. I treasure my autographed photo I received of you in 1980 for Christmas from our daughter.
I worked at a record store in Green Bay during those glory days. Bart bought records for his jukebox but had me pick them out. He made a point of learning my name so that every time he came into the store he would say “Hi, Fran!”. He had me type the words to the Beatles song “Nowhere Man” for a speech he was making to the Key Club on a Friday night at the Northland Hotel in Green Bay. He didn’t want to spend the money on a Beatles songbook so I offered to type the words. Slowly. He was patient. Even though he looked at his watch every once in a while. He also picked up my hitchhiking husband – a St Norbert student and rabid Bear fan. He also, apparently, came over to our house in GB to hang out with a friend of his – a fellow Packer player – who happened to be dating my sister at the time (1956?). Me? I was probably inside playing with my Tiny Tears doll. He and his wife are good friends with my cousin and her husband – Al Treml – the Packer video director – who happened to be entered into the Packer Hall of Fame – 2008 – along with Frank Winters. Bart gave the presentation speech. So – lucky me.
Twitter: GPN_JR
So many of these Packer players almost feel like family. Don’t they? There’s a special bond the players have with the fans that just doesn’t happen with the big city teams. Thanks for sharing your story Fran.
i am the niece of a man I believe you have known and loved in your life, VIN LOMBARDI. While you are in rehab please hear his voice in your head and push on to get the most out of yourself. This is what Uncle Vin would want for you and so do I.
I grew up loving you so please get better for me and Uncle Vin.