Bart Starr tributes reflect a 'kind, humble' Packers icon who exuded class

Green Bay Press Gazette

GREEN BAY – Leave it to a Packers fan to sum up Bart Starr as well as anyone could: "Every time, nothing but class. Every. Time."

Paul Pagnozzi was stunned by the news that Starr, Packers Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, died Sunday at age 85. Pagnozzi became a Starr fan while in grade school and finally met him in 1980. They became friends and Pagnozzi chauffeured Starr when he was visiting New Jersey.

Bart Starr poses for a portrait at his office in Birmingham, Ala., in August.

"It’s like I lost a family member. I can’t stop crying," said Pagnozzi of Hawthorne, N.J. "He was like a dad to me."

As recently as the Packers Hall of Fame banquet earlier in May, Starr's health was reported to be improving and there was talk of him attending the Packers' home opener against Minnesota in September. Starr had suffered a series of strokes in 2014 and his health was fragile.

Tributes poured in Sunday. The words "class" and "humble" were repeated constantly.

Tony Walter was the Press-Gazette sports editor during Starr's tenure as Packers coach, probably the most trying time of Starr's professional life.

"Initially it was difficult for him. There was some tension and there was his having to adjust to criticism," Walter said. "Everything changed in journalism in Green Bay at the same time. Despite that, I never dealt with anybody with more class."

Starr was head coach of the Packers from 1975 to 1983. He had a disappointing 52–76–2 record.

"There was the general feeling that the Packers threw him into that situation sooner than they should have," Walter said.

About a year before Starr's coaching career ended, Walter wanted to interview him for a national publication. It might have been during training camp, so Starr was very busy, but he invited Walter to interview him at 11:30 p.m. at his home in De Pere.

"He was just very accommodating," Walter said.

The last time Walter talked to Starr was during Super Bowl XLV in Dallas in 2011. He said it was obvious the esteem in which the former Packers quarterback was held.

"The Cowboys who were in the Ice Bowl just revered the man," he said.

Former Packers President Bob Harlan had been with the Packers for four years when Starr was named head coach and general manager. He called Harlan on Christmas Eve to let him know he wanted him to stay and take on more duties, including negotiating contracts.

"I worked for him for nine years. I so admired the man," Harlan said. "The job he tackled was enormous. He worked as hard at the job as anyone ever did."

It says everything about how Packers fans felt about Starr that after his coaching career ended, it was as if it never happened. It was Bart Starr the championship quarterback everyone wanted to remember.

"I’ve always marveled at that. It’s like he never came back and coached," Harlan said. "People didn’t what to see him hurt. They didn’t want to see him criticized."

The Packers have lost some of their greatest players in the past year, including Jim Taylor, Bob Skoronski and Forrest Gregg, but none likely will resonate like the loss of Starr.

"Bart Starr was an American icon whose legendary football career transformed Green Bay, Wisconsin, into Titletown U.S.A. More importantly, he lived a life of character defined by his grace, poise, respect and commitment," Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker said in a statement. "The Hall of Fame will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration to future generations.”

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said Starr was a role model, on and off the field.

"It’s really refreshing to see somebody that had that kind of success and remain humble," Murphy said. "I think he never forgot his roots."

Starr was a 17th-round draft pick in 1956, 200th overall, who was in Green Bay for almost five years before he was made starting quarterback by Vince Lombardi. He led the Packers to five NFL championships and two Super Bowl victories.

"He didn't start right away. They kept trying to put other people in," Murphy said. "For all football players, he's a tremendous role model for the way he carried himself.

"It was just an honor to get to know him and his family. The last few years, I got to know Cherry (Starr's wife). What a wonderful person she is."

Harlan talked to Starr about his successful playing career and Starr countered as he always did.

"He said, 'Bob, look who I was surrounded by. I was surrounded by such great, great players,'" Harlan said.

Starr was known for being approachable by fans, any time, anywhere.

"I never once saw him, at home, away, in hotels, anyplace, be approached by a fan and not be warm to that fan," Harlan said. "He wanted to move along, but he would take the time."

On Sunday, Packers fans expressed sadness over Starr's death but admiration for the way he played and lived his life.

“It’s a sad day in Green Bay sports, I’ll tell you that … because he’s a legend," said Steve Mauer of Oostburg. "Everyone came to watch him, first him and Vince Lombardi.”

Scott Johnson, a Wisconsin native who lives in Missouri, in Green Bay with his family visiting Lambeau Field, was “sad” and “shocked” at the news of Starr’s passing.

“I kind of thought it was fitting that he passed away on a Sunday when Green Bay would be playing most of their games on a Sunday,” said Johnson, adding that his grandparents had met Starr several times at various functions.

“They spoke very highly of him. As did everyone else,” he said.

Brent Alberts of Lake Geneva, who was taking a Lambeau tour, said Starr "led a pretty great life. … I mean obviously, he’s one of the first great Packers. What he did for the organization, winning games and coaching. It means a lot, I think, to the foundation of the team. Plus, it’s great to hear about his relationship with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. How they were close over the years, too.”

Starr also was known for his community contributions, including the foundation of the Rawhide Boys Ranch for at-risk youth in Caledonia. He donated one of his Super Bowl cars to support the ranch in addition to other efforts.

Tributes came in from players and former players, too.

"Bart Starr was one of the kindest men I've ever met," former Packers receiver Don Beebe said. "He was a man of faith and lived it. We all will miss this great person."
"Always was struck at how kind Bart and Cherry Starr were when they came through our @Packers offices. They wanted to know about each employee, no matter what level, and what they did. And they never, ever wanted anyone to fuss over them. Such grace," former Packers executive Andrew Brandt tweeted.
"Bart Starr is a legend in so many ways! I am so sad to hear this news today. I remember first meeting him my rookie year at the Lombardi Golf Classic," Packers kicker Mason Crosby tweeted. "He always had time for everyone and made everyone around him better. Praying for Cherry and their family on this sad day."
"I only got to meet you a few times but each time you reminded me of what an impact you can have by just being a good person," former Packers fullback John Kuhn tweeted. "One of the nicest people l've been blessed to know and the epitome of what it means to be a professional athlete. RIP Bart Starr."

"Bart Starr was a true gentleman and one of the kindest people I knew. I had elbow surgery following our '95 Super Bowl in Birmingham and Bart made a visit to the hospital. To this day, not sure how he even knew I was there," former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and Fox broadcaster Troy Aikman tweeted.
"Bart Starr was the most kind, thoughtful and classiest person you could ever know," Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and Packers legend Brett Favre tweeted. "I consider myself extremely lucky to have called him friend and to have been mentioned in the same breath. Deanna and I are praying for Cherry and the Starr family."

Samantha Hernandez of the Green Bay Press-Gazette contributed to this report.

Contact Richard Ryman at (920) 431-8342 or rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/