Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr is home in suburban Birmingham, Ala., after spending more than two months in a hospital, former teammate Jerry Kramer said Sunday.

"Bart got to go home a couple of days ago. Finally got out of the hospital," Kramer told WKBT-TV of La Crosse. "He's still having a difficult time, but he's home and we expect a bit of a bounce."

Starr, 80, had an ischemic stroke on Sept. 2. Five days later, he had a hemorrhagic stroke and a heart attack. He had since been recuperating and undergoing intensive physical therapy in the hospital.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback was hospitalized after exhibiting signs at his office that he wasn't his usual self.

"It's always nice to get home, especially coming out of a hospital. So hopefully he's on his way to a better period of health," Kramer said. "We're all praying for him."

Kramer was in La Crosse as part of a grand opening celebration for a sporting goods store.

Press-Gazette Media reporter Pete Dougherty visited Starr in mid-August for a story about his upbringing in Montgomery, Ala. Starr appeared to be physically fit and moved without any obvious difficulties.

At the time, Starr said he no longer jogs but walks two miles a day and occasionally plays tennis with his wife. He's semi-retired and works short- to medium-length days five days a week at his office in the building that houses his son's investment firm.

Much of his work consists of signing pictures and memorabilia for charities.

When asked about his ability to walk without impediment after playing in the NFL for 16 years, Starr said: "The only way I can explain it is I've been very lucky."

Starr played for the Packers from 1956 to 1971. He was quarterbacks coach in 1972, then was head coach from 1975 to 1983. He was inducted to the Packers and Pro Football halls of fame in 1977.