The Green Bay Packers franchise is saddened by the tragic news this week that the longtime partner of a legend has passed away.
The Green Bay Packers announced the death of Cherry Starr, the widow of legendary quarterback Bart Starr, on Tuesday.
She was 89 years old and had been married to Bart for more than 60 years at the time of his passing in 2019.
Green Bay president/CEO Mark Murphy released a statement in acknowledgment of the impact Cherry had throughout her life.
“The Packers Family was deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of Cherry Starr,” Murphy wrote. “She will be remembered for her warmth, kindness and great sense of humor. Her generosity and support of the community, both here in Wisconsin and in Alabama, is greatly appreciated by so many.
“Cherry was particularly passionate about carrying on Bart’s legacy of supporting each new generation of quarterbacks, as Bart and then Cherry wrote letters to so many around the league. I know the players cherished those notes of encouragement. We share our most sincere condolences with Bart Jr. and the entire Starr Family.”
Cherry died at her home in Birmingham, Alabama.
It was back in 2021 when Cherry was in Green Bay for the dedication of the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge in downtown Green Bay. Her last trip to Green Bay was in 2022 for a Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame banquet.
Bart and Cherry met at Sidney Lanier High School in Birmingham. He considered attending the University of Kentucky but instead decided to take his talents to the University of Alabama so he could stay close to Cherry, who attended Auburn University, which was less than three hours away.
The Starrs had two sons, Bart Jr. and Brett, who died in 1988 at age 24 of a drug overdose. They also had three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
As quarterback of the Packers, he won two Super Bowls and three additional NFL championships, going 9-1 in postseason starts, in a professional career that spanned from 1956-71.
Bart’s starting salary with the Packers was under $7,5000 as he also held a job as a tire salesman in the offseason.
