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Bart Starr quarterbacked the Green Bay Packers from 1956-71 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. (Green Bay Packers photo)
Former Alabama quarterback and Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Bart Starr is undergoing clinical-trial stem cell treatment following a series of strokes, his family announced in a statement Wednesday.
Starr, who is 81, suffered the first of his strokes last September, his family announced at the time. Starr's wife, Cherry, told the Arizona Republic during Super Bowl week in January that her husband has had a total of two strokes, four seizures and a mild heart attack and was hospitalized for more than two months.
The Starr family announced his ongoing treatments through the Green Bay Packers:
"Following Bart's strokes, our family began to investigate numerous therapy options. Several months ago we applied for and were accepted into a clinical trial using stem cells. Friday we safely returned home from the first of the two treatments.
"While we welcome everyone's interest and support of Bart's health, at this time, we'd like to allow him a chance to fully participate in the clinical trial and let the results, if any, to speak for themselves. At an appropriate time in the future, our family looks forward to sharing the details of Bart's participation in this most important clinical exploration of what role stem cells may play in the treatment of stroke.
"Until then, we continue to thank you for all of your love and prayers. Your support has given us much strength over the past nine months. Bart joins me in sending our love and appreciation to all our special friends and fans. We are working hard toward the one goal he most cherishes: a return to Green Bay for a Packers game."
Starr, a Montgomery native, played for Alabama from 1952-55. He was a 17th-round draft pick of the Packers in 1956, and went on to lead the team to five NFL championships -- including victories in the first two Super Bowls -- in a 17-year pro career.
Starr was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He later coached the Packers for nine seasons, and in recent years has owned automobile dealerships and worked in commercial real estate, among other business ventures.
In January, Cherry Starr -- who met her husband in high school and has been married to him for more than 60 years -- said his recovery has been "very, very slow."
"When we left the hospital, he could not walk or sit up unassisted," she said. "Now he's walking on a walker and standing very erect. He lost 20 pounds and gained back 10 and is getting stronger. I don't know how much recovery he can make with his cognitive ability.
"He's been such a kind, generous, loving man all his life. It's not a good quality of life for him, and it hurts me to see him this way. I wish so much this had never happened."