Bart Starr - by David Claerbaut (Paperback)

About the Book

Biography of Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers star quarterback during the Vince Lombardi era (1959-1968).

Book Synopsis

Bart Starr was the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971, the most meaningful and successful era of one of football's most storied franchises. Starr was named MVP of the first two Super Bowls and to the Pro Bowl four times. He threw for more than 24,000 yards in his career and holds the Packer record for most games played. But the awards and impressive statistics are not what fans remember most about Bart Starr. As his legendary coach, Vince Lombardi, once said, "Bart Starr stands for what the game of football stands for: courage, stamina and coordinated efficiency. You instill desire by creating a superlative example. The noblest form of leadership is by example and that is what Bart Starr is about."

With a new epilogue covering Starr's life since 2004 and death in 2019, this updated edition of Bart Starr: When Leadership Mattered shows with clarity and stunning insight just how true Lombardi's compliment was. Drafted in the seventeenth round out of the University of Alabama after a checkered collegiate career, Starr was just hoping to catch the eye of an NFL team. As the 199th selection in the 1956 draft, his expectations and those of the team and fans were limited. But Bart Starr rose above everyone's expectations to will his way to the starting job, aided by the encouragement of Lombardi, who became Packer head coach in 1959.

This book reveals all the details of Starr's improbable rise to stardom. It explores his relationship with Lombardi and his guidance of the Packers from a downtrodden franchise to five-time World Champions to two-time Super Bowl winners. His epic battles with rivals such as the Bears and Lions and the famous Ice Bowl are also recalled in unforgettable fashion.

But most of all, Bart Starr: When Leadership Mattered is about a modestly talented football player who with uncommon intelligence, grit, and leadership elevated his play and that of his teammates. The Packers would not have been the Packers without Bart Starr.

Review Quotes

A carefully researched and fluidly written biography of one of football's truly great players and a glimpse inside one of its great teams.

A carefully researched and fluidly written biography of one of football's truly great players and a glimpse inside one of its great teams.--Wes Lukowsky "Booklist"

A celebration of one of the flat-top good guys from an era not so terribly long ago.

A celebration of one of the flat-top good guys from an era not so terribly long ago.--Scott Adamson "Birmingham Post-Herald"

Claerbaut pulls together a credible and well-written biography of the usually reticent Green Bay Packers hero. With the help of Starr's teammates from the Glory Days, Claerbaut incorporates a history of the Packers during this era as well as a look at the star quarterback, whom few people really know.

Claerbaut pulls together a credible and well-written biography of the usually reticent Green Bay Packers hero. With the help of Starr's teammates from the Glory Days, Claerbaut incorporates a history of the Packers during this era as well as a look at the star quarterback, whom few people really know.--Jean Peerenboom "Packersnews.Com"

Claerbaut sweeps away the myths and romance surrounding the Packers to reveal what most pro-football experts knew - Starr... was a leader who could inspire a team by his actions.

Claerbaut sweeps away the myths and romance surrounding the Packers to reveal what most pro-football experts knew -- Starr... was a leader who could inspire a team by his actions.--Bob D'Angelo "Tampa Review"

Inspirational story of triumph.

Inspirational story of triumph.--John Maxymuk "Library Journal"

About the Author

David Claerbaut is the author of numerous books, including Recruiting Confidential. He is a business consultant and lives in Chicago, Illinois.