The Packers announced Sunday that Starr had died, citing his family. He had been in failing health since suffering two strokes and a heart attack in 2014.The NFL has an award named for Starr that is given annually to a player who shows outstanding character. That was true, on an off the field.
“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,” Starr’s family said in a statement.
Perhaps the most iconic moment of his iconic career came during the coldest game ever played in the NFL, the 1967 NFL Championship Game.
In the NFL championship on Dec. 31, 1967, Starr knifed into the end zone behind guard Jerry Kramer and center Ken Bowman with 16 seconds left to lift the Packers over the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in what became known as the “Ice Bowl.”Hell no he didn't let him down. By the way, Starr and coach Vince Lombardi were the only ones who knew the play was going to be a quarterback sneak. Running back Donny Anderson slipped on the ice on the first two plays from the 3. Starr called a timeout, talked to Lombardi on the sideline and suggested the sneak. Lombardi said, “Then run it and let’s get the hell out of here." Starr did:
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With a temperature of minus-14 and a wind chill of minus-49, it was the coldest NFL game ever recorded. The wind chill had dipped another 20 degrees by the time the Packers got the ball at their 32 trailing 17-14 with five minutes left.
With one last chance for an aging dynasty to win a fifth NFL title in seven seasons, Starr took the field as linebacker Ray Nitschke hollered, “Don’t let me down!”
Starr coached the Packers for a few years, not successfully, and then enjoyed a long retirement. Classy to the end. One of my childhood heroes, he will be missed by many.
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