Starr getting better
The wife of Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr said in a statement Sunday that her husband is recovering from two strokes and a mild heart attack and is making progress in rehabilitation.
Cherry Starr’s update on her husband’s condition was released on the Green Bay Packers website.
She said Starr’s doctors confirmed the 80-year-old suffered an ischemic stroke on Sept. 2, followed on Sept. 7 by a hemorrhagic stroke and a mild heart attack. She said his progress was slowed by seizures, which are now being controlled through medication.
Starr led the Packers to five NFL titles and two Super Bowl championships. He was Green Bay’s head coach from 1975 to 1983.
Starr, who lives in the Birmingham, Alabama, area, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1977.
Four players reach milestones Sunday
Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Jason Witten and Reggie Wayne all reached significant career statistical milestones Sunday.
The Broncos’ Manning threw his 500th career touchdown pass, joining Brett Favre as the only members of the exclusive club. Manning reached the mark in his 244th career regular season game, 49 fewer games than it took Favre. He finished the day with 503 career touchdowns, just five short of Favre’s record.
Brees eclipsed 40,000 yards passing for the Saints, becoming the fastest in NFL history to hit that mark with a single team. Brees did it in his 132nd game with New Orleans, surpassing the mark held by Dan Marino, who reached is in his 153rd game with the Dolphins.
The Cowboys’ Witten joined Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe as the only tight ends in NFL history with 10,000 yards receiving.
The Colts’ Wayne caught seven passes for 77 yards and passed Cris Carter for No. 8 on the NFL’s career list in yards receiving. Wayne now has 13,950 yards. James Lofton is next on the list with 14,004 yards.
Extra points
Titans quarterback Jake Locker will have more tests on his injured right thumb today. He apparently was hurt when hitting his hand on the helmet of Browns cornerback Buster Skrine. … Bills coach Doug Marrone says the team filed a complaint to NFL security officials alleging someone shined a laser pointer from the stands at his players during their game at Detroit.