07/16/2025
When Bart Starr first landed in Green Bay in 1956, he barely caused a ripple. Just another young quarterback with potential, hidden behind veterans like Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli. He sat on the bench, largely unnoticed, quietly learning the ropes. But fate had other ideas. In 1959, Vince Lombardi arrived in town, fiery and uncompromising, demanding nothing short of greatness. Tired of Lamar McHan’s inconsistency, Lombardi gave Starr a shot — and once he had it, Starr held on tight.
By 1960, the team was on the rise. They fought their way to the NFL Championship Game, only to suffer a crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles — the only playoff defeat of Lombardi’s career. It hurt. But sometimes, losing teaches you more than any victory can.
Then came 1961 — Starr's breakout year. No more sharing snaps. No more waiting. This was his team now. He threw for over 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the Packers to an 11–3 record and another title shot. Against the Giants in a freezing Lambeau Field, Starr was surgical — three touchdowns, 164 yards, and a 37–0 rout. A dynasty had begun.
In 1962, Green Bay became a juggernaut, plowing through the league with a 13–1 record. Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung were the stars, but Starr was the brains behind the machine — accurate, poised, and always in control. He completed 62.5% of his passes, a remarkable number in an era where the passing game was still developing. Another championship. Another Giants team defeated. Starr was proving he was more than just steady — he was exceptional.
But not every year was smooth. In 1963, injuries took their toll. Starr missed key time, and the Packers, worn down, fell short of another title run. He still posted solid numbers — nearly 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns — but the magic took a pause.
In 1964, the offense began to shift. Taylor and Hornung were no longer the unstoppable forces they once were. Starr and Lombardi adapted, reworking the attack to lean more on Starr’s arm. With new weapons like Carroll Dale, Starr thrived — over 2,100 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He finished with a league-best 97.1 passer rating, proving he could carry the load when needed.
The 1965 season was a battle. Green Bay clawed its way to a 10–3–1 finish. Starr had a career-best 16 touchdown passes but took a brutal hit in the playoff opener, cracking his ribs on the first play. Backup Zeke Bratkowski stepped up and led a gritty overtime win. Starr returned in the title game against the Browns, and with a muddy Lambeau Field underfoot, he launched a critical 47-yard touchdown to Carroll Dale. The Packers won — and Starr’s toughness was etched in legend.
Then came 1966 — the year Starr reached his peak. He was untouchable: over 2,200 yards, 14 touchdowns, only three interceptions, and a 105 passer rating. He was named NFL MVP. In the Championship Game versus the Cowboys, Starr delivered a masterclass — 304 yards, four touchdowns — leading Green Bay to another crown. Weeks later, in Super Bowl I, the Packers dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs, and Starr walked away as the game’s first-ever MVP. His cool control under pressure had become iconic.
But no one is immune to time. In 1967, Starr struggled with injuries in his throwing hand. Mistakes crept in — 17 interceptions — a shocking total for such a careful quarterback. Even so, Green Bay made the playoffs. Against the Rams, Starr found his rhythm again. And then came the legendary Ice Bowl.
The temperature dipped to -13 degrees. The wind chill made every breath painful. The Cowboys led late. With time fading and the end zone just inches away, Starr went to Lombardi with a plan.
"Let’s run the wedge," he said — but he wasn’t handing it off. He would take it himself. Lombardi didn’t blink. "Then run it," he barked. "And let’s get the hell out of here."
No fear. No hesitation. Starr surged forward behind his line — and broke the plane. Green Bay 21, Dallas 17. One of the greatest moments in NFL history, delivered by a man who had ice in his veins, even in the coldest game ever played.
Starr’s 191 yards and two touchdowns that day weren’t just numbers — they were symbols of a man who led with quiet courage, who kept his head when others panicked, who won not with flash, but with unwavering strength.
Bart Starr wasn’t just a quarterback. He became the soul of a team, the steady hand guiding one of the most successful dynasties the league has ever seen. Injuries. Hits. Cold. Pressure. He endured it all — and delivered every time.
That’s what makes a legend.
