GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Former Packers quarterback and head coach Bart Starr has his name etched even further into Green Bay history.
The formerly known Walnut Street Bridge has officially been renamed the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge with a ceremony held on Saturday morning.
It’s the highest honor that the state of Wisconsin can give to an individual, as it requires a state law to be changed.
State representative David Steffen adds an occasion like this is only fitting for the Packers legend.
“A bridge, its permanent. It’s the connector of people. And it provides humble service. Those are three things that both Bart and Cherry Starr have spent their lives doing.”
In what felt more like a celebration of life rather than a bridge dedication, Bart’s widow Cherry says he would have appreciated the recognition.
“He would feel so humbled about it, because he always gave the credit for his success to his teammates and the other people,” said Starr. “He would be so proud, and I know he’s looking down smiling at all of us today.”
Where Starr arguably left his mark the most, as Packers fan Tom Allen describes, was on the community where he lived.
“Bart did so much, he gave back before giving back was even talked about. He did so much for the community all through his career and even after.”
Story after story was told about Starr’s impact by those who were fortunate enough to connect with him, and that’s what makes Cherry proud to have been his wife.
“It touched my heart, it always does. I meet more people who share stories that I wasn’t even aware of, because I know what a great gentleman he was. But I hear more and more stories that always make me so happy, makes me so proud.”
Starr died on May 26, 2019.
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