By Darin Hayes January 9, 1934 – Montgomery, Alabama – The stellar quarterback from the University of Alabama, Bart Starr, was born.
Bart was a 17th-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1956, according to his bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website. His remarkable career in the NFL lasted 16 years, during which he was under center for five NFL titles and two Super Bowl victories. As a matter of fact, he was the Most Valuable Player in both Super Bowl I and II. Bart’s career stats show he threw for 152 touchdowns and ran in 15 other scores. The most famous of these rushing TDs was probably the Ice Bowl NFL Championship game of 1967, when he plunged in for the game-winner with little time left in sub-zero temperatures.
College Career
Starr played his college football at the University of Alabama from 1952 to 1955. He was a two-way player in his early years, excelling as both a quarterback and a punter. His college career was marked by inconsistency and injuries, including a severe back injury his junior year. In his final two seasons, Alabama played in the 1953 Orange Bowl (a victory) and the 1954 Cotton Bowl (a loss). Despite the challenges and limited production, his potential was recognized, albeit late, in the professional draft.
Road to the Pro Game
The Green Bay Packers selected Starr in the 17th round (200th overall pick) of the 1956 NFL Draft. Starr’s professional career was spent entirely with the Green Bay Packers (1956–1971). He initially struggled and spent several seasons as a backup. His fortunes changed dramatically with the arrival of legendary coach Vince Lombardi in 1959. Lombardi recognized Starr’s intelligence and poise, naming him the starter and molding him into the “coach on the field” who would run the Packers’ dominant offense.
Football Legacy
Bart Starr’s legacy is defined by his unparalleled championship success and his near-flawless postseason record. He led the Packers to five NFL Championships in seven years (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967), including the victories in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. He is the only quarterback to lead a team to three consecutive league championships. His defining moment came in the frigid 1967 NFL Championship Game (the “Ice Bowl”), where he executed the iconic quarterback sneak for the game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds left. His meticulous preparation and leadership earned him the moniker of one of the “smartest quarterbacks” in the game.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Bart Starr in 1977.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
- NFL MVP: 1966 (AP, UPI, NEA)
- Super Bowl MVP: Super Bowl I, Super Bowl II (The first two-time Super Bowl MVP)
- NFL Champion: 5 times (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967)
- Pro Bowl: 4 times (1960–1962, 1966)
- All-Pro: 1st Team (1966)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1977
- NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
- Green Bay Packers Ring of Honor & No. 15 Retired
| Career Stats (16 Seasons) | Total |
| Completions | 1,808 |
| Attempts | 3,149 |
| Completion Percentage | 57.4% |
| Passing Yards | 24,718 |
| Touchdown Passes | 152 |
| Interceptions | 138 |
| Passer Rating | 80.5 |
| Postseason Record | 9–1 |
| Postseason Passer Rating | 104.8 (Highest in NFL history upon retirement) |