The Starr still Shines

Packer fans are filled with anticipation for the Thanksgiving night home game against the Bears.

Some, maybe most, are excited because the game will include a ceremony to retire the number of Brett Favre and unveil his number in the ring of honor above the stadium.

It's going to be great.  But, in my mind, there is possibly a more transcendent moment in store that evening, when Bart Starr returns to Lambeau Field.

Favre, out of respect for Bart Starr asked last year to put off the ceremony for a year so Bart could be there with him and Aaron Rodgers.  Starr suffered a series of strokes in 2014.

Backed up against his own goal line, Starr's team at home went to work.  He's moving up the field.  I recommend you check out this poignant story by Ian O'Connor of ESPN as Hall of Famer Starr and his wife Cherry prepare for another trip home.

Statistics can't speak to Starr's feats on the football field.   Five championships in seven NFL seasons does that quite nicely.  How about the Ice Bowl?

Starr was the field general for Coach Vince Lombardi.  The leader of the dynasty.

He wasn't a sure-fire #1 draft pick.  He nearly wasn't chosen at all.  He didn't have the arm strength according to scouts.  Lombardi wasn't sure what he had when arrived in Green Bay.  Lombardi learned.

I'm rooting for him and will be standing in front of my TV cheering for him as he walks back on the field.  (A side note to NBC, you need to have a camera on Starr and listen to the roar from the crowd.)

When we were living up north, Mr. Starr made an appearance for the grand opening of an Electric Avenue store.  I waited in line with hundreds of others for the honor of meeting this legend.

As we got closer I watched him and waited for my few seconds.  He smiled and greeted each person.  He signed things and posed for pictures.  (This was before "selfies.")

I shook his hand and he made me feel like I was doing him a favor.  If you read the article, you'll find a story by Bart Starr Junior.  Jr remembered as a kid a long line of fans and his dad greeted every one.
When he asked his dad why he spent so much time, his dad told him without the fans there is no game.

While his coaching stint with the Packers didn't turn out as well as his playing career; Starr was, is, and will always be a Packer.

He represents everything that embodies.

He is doing all he can to walk on the field to repay the fans.  As fans, we're longing for the opportunity to say thank you and give him one more Packer embrace.