Bart Starr Award
Beyond the Box Score: Honoring the Soul of the Game.
More than just a trophy, the Bart Starr Award is a tribute to the man behind the number. Presented annually by the Green Bay Packers Alumni Association, this honor looks past the box score to recognize an NFL player who embodies the quiet leadership and integrity of the franchise's greatest quarterback. Since 1989, it has celebrated stars from every division, not just those in green and gold, upholding a legacy where winning isn't everything—how you win is what matters most.
- Role
- Annual Character Award
- Presented By
- Green Bay Packers Alumni Association
- Honoree Type
- Current NFL Player (any team)
- First Awarded
- 1989
- Namesake
- Bart Starr
- Core Criteria
- Character, Leadership, Community Service
Lore & Background
The award was born from a desire to immortalize the specific brand of quiet dignity that defined Bart Starr's era. Unlike awards focused solely on statistical dominance or MVP voting, this honor seeks out the player who leads by example in the locker room and serves as a pillar in their local community. It reflects the Packers' unique culture where team success is often attributed to the collective character of its members rather than individual stardom alone.
Over the decades, the award has traveled across the NFL, recognizing players from rival franchises who embody the 'Starr Standard.' This inclusivity reinforces the idea that while the Packers may have named it, the values it represents belong to the entire sport. The selection process involves a rigorous review by the Alumni Association, ensuring that only those with proven track records of philanthropy and moral fortitude receive the distinction.
In Their Own Story
The stadium lights hummed low over the empty press box as the old alumni gathered, their voices soft but steady. They weren't talking about touchdowns or Super Bowl rings this time; they were discussing a linebacker from the other coast who had spent his off-season rebuilding schools in his hometown. One veteran, wearing a faded 1960s jersey, nodded slowly. 'That's the kind of stuff Bart would have done,' he murmured, looking at the name on the plaque. The trophy sat heavy in the center of the table, not gleaming with gold, but glowing with the weight of expectation. It was a reminder that while the game ends when the clock hits zero, the character built within it lasts forever.
Reader's Guide
The Bart Starr Award stands as a unique pillar in NFL history, distinguishing itself from traditional performance-based accolades by focusing entirely on human character. While other trophies celebrate yardage or sacks, this one celebrates the man wearing the jersey. The selection process is rigorous; nominees are vetted by the Packers Alumni Association based on philanthropy and moral fortitude rather than statistics alone. In an era often dominated by highlight reels and commercial hype, this award reminds fans that true greatness extends far beyond the final whistle.
Did You Know?
- Created specifically by the Green Bay Packers Alumni Association, not the NFL league office.
- Recipients are chosen from all 32 teams in the NFL, not just the Green Bay Packers.
- Bart Starr was deeply involved in selecting early recipients to ensure his vision remained intact.
- Often considered more difficult to win than statistical awards because character is harder to quantify than yardage or touchdowns.