In the rich tapestry of college football history, the University of Alabama stands as a sacred cathedral, its legacy etched into the hearts of fans and athletes alike. From the storied triumphs of Bear Bryant’s dynasty to the modern dominance under Nick Saban, few programs have fostered such a consistent lineage of excellence. Within this proud lineage, few moments shine brighter than when past and present icons of the Crimson Tide share a moment that bridges generations. In 2018, such a moment unfolded when Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts had the honor of meeting NFL legend and Alabama alum Bart Starr. This meeting was not merely ceremonial—it was a passing of the torch, a convergence of past glory and present promise, legacy meeting legacy.
Bart Starr is a name synonymous with excellence and humility, and his legacy is woven into the very fabric of professional and collegiate football. Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1934, Starr grew up in the deep South during a time of immense social and cultural transformation. Despite these challenges, he carved out a remarkable career, first at Sidney Lanier High School and then at the University of Alabama. Recruited by the Crimson Tide, he arrived on campus in the early 1950s and quickly made an impression as a versatile and determined athlete. By his sophomore year, Starr had earned the starting role at quarterback, but his talent wasn’t limited to just one position. He also served as the team’s safety and punter—an uncommon trifecta of responsibilities that underscored his football intelligence and athletic range.
Yet Starr’s collegiate career was marred by a significant setback. A severe back injury, reportedly suffered during a hazing incident in the offseason, kept him from reaching his full potential at Alabama. Over his final two years in Tuscaloosa, he saw limited action, and his collegiate stats were modest by any measure. For many athletes, such an injury might have marked the end of their football dreams. But Starr’s story was only just beginning.
Selected in the 17th round of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Starr was a long shot to make a lasting impression in the pros. But through quiet determination, humility, and razor-sharp intellect, he worked his way into the starting role under legendary coach Vince Lombardi. Together, Starr and Lombardi became the architects of one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. Starr led the Packers to five NFL championships, including victories in the first two Super Bowls. In 1966, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, a testament to his elite play and leadership on the field. More than just stats, it was Starr’s poise under pressure—his ability to command a huddle and execute with surgical precision—that defined his greatness.
Decades later, two young quarterbacks at Alabama were building their own legacies. Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts were household names in college football, representing the new era of dynamic, dual-threat quarterbacks. Both were products of the Saban system, molded through high expectations, intense competition, and relentless preparation. In 2018, Tagovailoa and Hurts were at the center of one of the most intriguing quarterback dynamics in college football. Hurts had led Alabama to the national championship game in 2017, only to be replaced by Tagovailoa in the second half of the title game against Georgia. Tua, with a flair for the dramatic, launched a stunning comeback capped by a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. It was a moment that cemented him as a star.
But instead of resentment, Hurts responded with grace and leadership, staying with the team, supporting Tua, and eventually reclaiming the spotlight with a heroic SEC Championship performance later that year. Their relationship was one of mutual respect, of quiet strength and humility—traits that undoubtedly reminded older fans of Bart Starr’s own dignified demeanor.
When Tagovailoa and Hurts had the opportunity to meet Bart Starr in 2018, it was more than a photo op. It was a moment where generations of Alabama greatness connected in a powerful way. Starr, by then in his mid-80s and battling the effects of multiple strokes, still carried the dignified presence that defined his playing days. His handshake, however frail, symbolized the strength of a legacy that had spanned over six decades. For Tagovailoa and Hurts, meeting Starr was not just about honoring history—it was about absorbing the lessons of humility, perseverance, and leadership from one of the game’s original champions.
The meeting came at a poignant time. Starr’s health had been declining, and he would pass away in May of 2019 at the age of 85. His impact on football, both college and pro, is immeasurable. Known for his leadership on and off the field, he and his wife Cherry became well-known philanthropists after his playing career, supporting causes ranging from youth programs to stroke awareness. His legacy extended far beyond touchdown passes and championship rings—it touched lives and inspired generations.
For Tagovailoa and Hurts, who would both go on to the NFL, the encounter with Starr offered a glimpse into the long arc of what it means to represent Alabama and to carry that responsibility into the next level. Hurts, who transferred to Oklahoma in 2019 and had a stellar final collegiate season, was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and eventually became their starting quarterback, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2022 season. Tagovailoa, drafted by the Miami Dolphins, endured early injuries but developed into a poised and efficient leader under center, helping revitalize a storied franchise.
The comparisons between the three quarterbacks don’t stop at their Alabama roots. All three displayed extraordinary mental toughness in the face of adversity. Starr overcame injury and obscurity to become an icon. Hurts weathered one of the most public quarterback demotions in modern college football with grace and fought his way back to prominence. Tagovailoa, after suffering a catastrophic hip injury in college, defied expectations and returned to elite form at the professional level.
Each man, in his own era, understood the weight of expectation. Each represented more than a team—they embodied a tradition. And when those traditions overlap in one physical space, even if briefly, it becomes a sacred moment in the annals of sports history. That’s what made the 2018 meeting between Starr, Tagovailoa, and Hurts so powerful. It wasn’t just about football—it was about identity, perseverance, and the timeless values that endure from one generation to the next.
It’s rare in life when moments feel like destiny—when people who have walked parallel paths across decades come together in the same place, united by a common thread. The meeting between Bart Starr, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts was such a moment. Three men from different eras, all tied to the same crimson lineage, each representing what it means to wear the Alabama jersey with pride, purpose, and integrity.
In the grand theater of Alabama football, these moments are treasured because they remind us of the human element behind the helmets. Starr didn’t just play football—he lived its core values: discipline, humility, and resilience. Tagovailoa and Hurts, still young in their own stories, showed that those values still matter, still win, and still define champions. And when they shook the hand of a man who had once stood where they stood, led as they led, and sacrificed as they sacrificed, it was more than symbolic—it was eternal.
