President Richard Nixon Visits Packerland to Honor Bart Starr

Oct. 17, 1970 – A crowd of 6,000 fills the Brown County Arena on the eve of Bart Starr Day. Among the guests to pay respect to the longtime Packers quarterback is President Richard Nixon. “He (Starr) is a very, very great football player,” Nixon says. “But, more than that, he is not only the No. 1 pro quarterback in this period, he is a No. 1 American citizen when it comes to character.” When Starr’s gets his turn to speak he is his usual gracious self. “I have been very proud to represent this team, this city and this state wherever I went. I know that we can never really proportionately repay what has been done for us.” The following day, the Rams spoil the celebration by defeating the Packers 31-21 at Lambeau Field.