Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway has paid tribute to legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr.
Elway described Starr as “a true gentleman, a great player, and a great pioneer for the NFL” in his tweet on May 26.
Bart was a true gentleman, a great player and a great pioneer for the NFL. He set a tremendous example for all QBs to emulate.
My thoughts are with Bart’s wife, Cherry, and the entire Starr family. #Legend pic.twitter.com/TaXXCqVN18
— John Elway (@johnelway) May 26, 2019
The 85-year-old Starr passed away in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday. According to ESPN, Starr had several health issues in recent years.
Starr battled a series of health setbacks recently. In September 2014, he suffered two strokes, a heart attack, and several seizures.
His condition improved after undergoing experimental stem cell treatments. He then overcame a life-threatening bronchial infection in August 2015 and broke his hip in December.
Starr was the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls. He and head coach Vince Lombardi helped establish a Packers dynasty in the 1960s.
Starr helped Green Bay win five titles as its starting quarterback. After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960 NFL Championship Game, Starr went undefeated in his subsequent postseason games.
Starr propelled the Packers to Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders. Prior to that, his one-yard touchdown run in the famous “Ice Bowl” secured a comeback victory against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1967 NFL Championship Game.
It is with deep sadness that we announce Green Bay Packers legend Bart Starr has passed away at age 85: https://t.co/Qgv5o6FP3D pic.twitter.com/mIqu5hGyMt
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 26, 2019
Starr's family issued a statement to ESPN which says, “His true legacy will always be the respectful manner in which he treated every person he met, his humble demeanor, and his generous spirit.” It comes as no surprise the statement is consistent with Elway's Twitter tribute.
Starr's legacy will live on in the hearts of past and present players as well as fans of the National Football League.
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