Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
STARR REMEMBERED
Brett Favre recalls fond memories of Packers legend
Green Bay — Their names are forever linked in franchise history: Bryan Bartlett Starr and Brett Lorenzo Favre.
Two quarterbacks from the South who rose from humble beginnings to lead the Green Bay Packers to championships and Super Bowls. Their names and jersey Nos. 15 and 4 adorn the Lambeau Field façade; an honor accorded to only four other players in the team’s 100 seasons of competition.
Sunday, Favre returned with other Packers alumni to remember and honor Starr, who passed away at age 85 on May 26, at the home season opener against the rival Minnesota Vikings.
Along with Bart Starr Jr., Favre had the honor of escorting Cherry Starr down the Packers tunnel to the on-field halftime ceremony, which included remarks by Packers president Mark Murphy and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“It’s very special to me,” Favre said. “It goes without saying, what Bart and his family have meant, and will continue to mean, to this organization. I’m always honored, as I was last time we were here when we had Bart out at halftime. I’m very honored to be asked to be a part of it.”
Favre said the comparisons to Starr began shortly after then general manager Ron Wolf brought Favre to Green Bay in 1992.
“Not long after I became starter here, I remember people make a comparison that this is kind of history repeating itself,” Favre said. “Southern quarterback. Bart Starr, Brett Favre, similar names. You didn’t think they’d adapt to the cold.”
Their relationship grew over the years.
“When Bart would come back to Green Bay he’d always make a point (to see me),” Favre said. “I was overly eager to go over and shake his hand and be very respectful.”
Starr mailed Favre letters on occasion after games, which he treasures today. “Who the heck does that?” Favre said. “Nobody writes letters anymore. Bart Starr did.”
It was vintage Starr: old school, personal, thoughtful.
“Win or lose, good job, obviously always could be better,” Favre said of the messages conveyed. “A little bit of coaching in there and advice. That was Bart. He was very thoughtful, he did things that no athlete would ever consider doing, going over and beyond the call of duty. That’s to be commended, along with how he carried himself on the field and his leadership.”
More than two hours before kickoff, as only the early-bird players were beginning to check out the turf and warm up, Favre roamed the stadium and showed his daughters and nine-yearold grandson the home field he played on for 16 seasons from 1992-2007.
“My grandson and my two daughters wanted to go. . . he’s 9,” said Favre, clad in a green T-shirt with a circular “Starr 15” logo. “It’s kind of a cool atmosphere. He wanted to see where papa played.”
Favre said his other two grandchildren are ages 5 and 2.
“The oldest is not an athlete,” he said with a smile. “He tried it, but he’d rather read a book. Hey, he’s read more books at nine than I’ve read in my whole life. I’m sure it will serve him well. The next two, who knows, everything looks like a ball to them. There’s hope.”
Just before kickoff, Favre stepped out of the tunnel with Cherry for a brief moment to thunderous applause. Before halftime, Favre assembled in the tunnel with other alumni players for the halftime festivities. He slipped into a side area by the elevators to catch the final minutes of the first half on a television screen with Green Bay leading 21-7.
Cherry Starr then entered the room and Favre prepared to escort her to the field as the Packers jogged by to their locker room.
Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung, seated in a wheelchair in the tunnel, was resolute in his opinion.
“Look at the turnout — they’re all for Bart,” Hornung said. “Bart Starr is the greatest success story in the history of the NFL. He’s the best quarterback that’s ever played. His winning is unmatched...
“Beyond football, what’s he’s done for this city and the Packers is unbelievable. We all love to come back to Green Bay to honor him. The Packers are winning, the whole thing is perfect.”
Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Robinson said Starr epitomized Lombardi’s team concept.
“No question about it, Bart was the heart and soul of the team,” Robinson said. “He was such a great guy. When everyone else was losing their head, Bart was always calm, cool and collected. One thing about our Packers teams is we bonded like family. My teammates are like my brothers. It wasn’t about individual glory, you wanted your teammate to succeed. It was about the team. And Bart was our leader.”
Hall of Fame guard Jerry Kramer said simply: “At the Rawhide event Saturday, I referenced a coach Lombardi quote. Something to the effect that after the game is over, and the stadium is empty and you’re back in the quiet of your room with your championship ring on the dresser, the only thing left is to make a difference.
“Bart Starr made this world a better place because he was in it.”