Bart Starr’s designation as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player describes more than his legendary performance on the football field, it describes him as a man. Playing for the legendary Vince Lombardi, Starr learned the fundamentals for leadership and success. Bart Starr was MVP in the first two Super Bowls, NFL Man of the Year, Professional Player of the Decade, and the first winner of the Byron White Award. Bart Starr also served as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Athletes in Action established the Bart Starr Award, which is given annually to one NFL Player who exemplifies leadership and humanitarianism. Recipients since 1988 have been Steve Largent, Mike Singletary, Anthony Munoz, and Reggie White. Today, Starr is president of his own firm, a member of the President’s Commission on Physical Fitness, and a director of major public companies. Bart Starr is also a dynamic speaker who inspires and motivates audiences with his stories and lessons from the world of sports. Since suffering the loss of his son Brett, in 1988, to the problems of substance abuse, Bart has become a spokesman who addresses the problem of substance abuse to interested audiences.
Starr’s presentation “Being The Best You Can Be” emphasizes the importance of setting and achieving goals, teamwork, and striving towards excellence. Starr’s presentation is not ‘canned’ as he takes the time to talk to a meeting planner prior to an event and personalizes and tailors his remarks his audience.
The fortitude he brought to the “Ice Bowl” victory is his trademark and foundation of the perseverance and superiority he has brought to his life off the field as a successful businessman, community leader and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Some of Starr’s legendary achievements:
1966 NFL MVP
1967 and ’68 NFL Super Bowl MVP
1961, ’62, ’63, ’66 and ’67 Pro Bowl Team
First Winner of the NFL Byron White Award
Most NFL championships by quarterback in NFL history (5)
Highest quarterback rating in NFL playoff history
Highest winning percentage (90%) of any quarterback in NFL playoff history
1969 NFL Man of the Year
1970 Columbus Touchdown Club Professional Player of the Decade
1968 Jaycees “10 Outstanding Young Men in America”
1977 Elected to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
1977 Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
1971 Wisconsin Writers Association Meritorious Service Award and Wisconsinite of the Year
1971-72 State Chairmen (Mr. and Mrs. Starr) Cancer Crusade
Member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Protection
1971-84 Chairman of Vince Lombardi Memorial Golf Classic
1970-73 Member of President’s Council on Physical Fitness
Athletes in Action established the Bart Starr Award, annually given to one NFL Player who exemplifies leadership and humanitarianism (since 1988, recipients include Steve Largent, Mike Singletary, Anthony Munoz and Reggie White).
1997 Vince Lombardi Humanitarian Award
Cofounder – Rawhide Boys Ranch