Packers' Bratkowski, Bart Starr's backup, dies at age 88

Posted November 12, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

FILE - In this July 19, 1972, file photo, Green Bay Packers football quarterbacks Zeke Bratkowski (12) and Bart Starr (15) are shown at training camp in Green Bay, Wisc. The Green Bay Packers say Zeke Bratkowski, the quarterback who backed up Bart Starr during the team's 1960s dynasty, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at his Florida home at age 88. (AP Photo/PJS, File) The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Zeke Bratkowski, the quarterback who backed up Bart Starr during the Green Bay Packers' 1960s dynasty, has died at his Florida home. He was 88.

The team announced his death late Monday but did not disclose further details.

The Packers Hall of Famer was a quarterback in Green Bay from 1963-1968 and again in 1971. One of Bratkowski's most notable performances in relief of an injured Starr came in 1965, a 13-10 overtime playoff win over the Baltimore Colts that sent the Packers to the title game against Cleveland.

They beat the Browns for what would be the first of three straight championship seasons, and Bratkowski played briefly in both Super Bowl wins in the two years that followed.

His death comes six months after Starr died at the age of 85. Under coach Vince Lombardi, Starr led Green Bay to six division titles, five NFL championships and wins in the first two Super Bowls.

"I've tried to pattern myself after Bart," Bratkowski said in 1967, according to the Packers. "We study the movies together and go over the game plan together. I try to think as much like he does as I can so the team will not have to make a big adjustment if I'm needed."

Bratkowski, born in Danville, Illinois, was a star at the University of Georgia before starting his career with the Chicago Bears. Bratkowski played for the Bears and then the Rams in 1960 after his military service as an Air Force pilot in 1958 and 1959. He won 10 of his 14 starts for the Packers, completing 265 passes in 498 attempts for 3,576 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

He spent 14 years in the NFL, passing for more than 10,000 yards and 65 touchdowns.

Bratkowski served as a backfield coach under Phil Bengtson from 1969-1970. He was also quarterbacks coach from 1975 to 1981.

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FILE - In this March 17, 2010, file photo, Zeke Bratkowski gestures during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. The Green Bay Packers say Zeke Bratkowski, the quarterback who backed up Bart Starr during the team's 1960s dynasty, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at his Florida home at age 88. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File) The Associated Press

FILE - This is a July 19, 1971, file photo showing Green Bay Packers football quarterback Zeke Bratkowski. The Green Bay Packers say Zeke Bratkowski, the quarterback who backed up Bart Starr during the team's 1960s dynasty, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at his Florida home at age 88. (AP Photo/PJS, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 26, 1965, file photo, Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi, left, and quarterback Zeke Bratkowski celebrate in the Packers' dressing room in Green Bay, Wis., after Bratkowski took over direction of the Packers when Bart Starr was hurt on the first play of the Western Division NFL playoff game against the Baltimore Colts. The Packers say Bratkowski, the quarterback who backed up Bart Starr during the team's 1960s dynasty, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at his Florida home at age 88. (AP Photo/File) The Associated Press

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