Wearing the number 15 in Titletown, USA

Tops on my bucket list was covering the Masters and that was a great experience for sure. But just as important to me was to meet my childhood football idol Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers. We had spoken on the phone a few times but he lives and works on the other side of the country from me in Birmingham, Alabama not far from where he once played at the University of Alabama. The last time we had spoken he said if I was ever in the area to please call him. Well Augusta, Georgia was close enough for me and fortunately his schedule was open to meet on the Tuesday after the Masters and the 4 hour drive was well worth the trip.

With Bart holding a bronze figure of Lombardi in his office

Bart is a true gentleman in every sense of the word and he was gracious to allow me a few hours of his time to finally meet him in person. My other boyhood sports heroes were Don Drysdale and Elgin Baylor who I was privileged to get know both for many years. I was immediately welcomed by Bart and as I shook his hand and said Mr. Starr…before I could say another word he quickly said to call him Bart and the rest of our get together was something I’ll never forget.

After lunch with his son Bart, Jr. and three of their nice office mates…I sat down with the MVP of Super Bowl I and II and talked about some of the highlights in his career mainly focusing on the Ice Bowl, Super Bowl I (which was played in my hometown of Los Angeles), and his relationship with Coach Vince Lombardi and how he had changed the lives forever of every Green Bay Packer who ever played for him.

Starr to McGee first TD pass in Super Bowl history

Starr with Lombardi who borrowed an L.A. Rams visor to use in Super Bowl I

I hope you enjoy my chance to go down memory lane with one of the greats of the game in more ways than just a special quarterback…

After talking about ‘The Sneak’ in the Ice Bowl

Bart Starr with Ted Sobel: