It may seem bizarre that two sports greats died the same day but that’s the way, as they used to say, the cookie crumbles. 
Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr went out a winner despite an almost hopeless beginning in the NFL.
Boston Red Sox 1st baseman Bill Buckner went out, to say it charitably, a goat.
Here are the triumph and tragedy stories of 2 exceptional professional athletes.
A star in waiting
When Bart Starr played for the University of Alabama, he was plagued by injuries and a rushing offense that didn’t favor his skills as a talented passer. He wasn’t high on anyone’s radar.
In 1956, 199 players were drafted before Green Bay took him in the 17th round.
He spent the next 3 years as a backup quarterback on a losing NFL team..
In 1959, something Providential happened. Vince Lombadi took over as Green Bay’s coach and gave Bart a chance to start. 
That was a career-changer for Bart, Vince, the Packers, and the NFL. 
Under the coach and his new star, the Packers won 5 Super Bowls in 10 years, 3 of them back-to-back.
In one historic game the Packers and Dallas Cowboys met Dec. 31, 1967, at Lambeau Field for the NFL championship. 
The temperature hit minus-15° and the field surface was frozen over, thus the game became known as the Ice Bowl. 
The Packers were down 17-14 with minutes left when Bart scored the game-winning touchdown. What a kegacy to leave Green Bay.
This is the tale of triumph. 
Now for the tragic one.
A 1st base flub
Bill Buckner was truly an unappreciated Major League Baseball player. But did his infamous error in the 1986 World Series really cost the Boston Red Sox the title?
The Red Sox were an out away from claiming their first title since 1918. But, they let the New York Mets come from behind 5-3 on consecutive singles and a wild pitch. 
When Bamberg native and former South Carolina outfielder Mookie Wilson dribbled a slow roller on the 1st-base line, Bill let it bounce through his legs, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run. It forced Game 7 and Boston lost.
Critics said that if Bill had fielded the ball, he would’ve put Wilson out, sent the game to the 11th inning and Boston might have won. 
The evidence indicates other wise. Even if Bill had handled the grounder, a speedy Wilson still would’ve reached 1st base safe.        That error erased all else about Bill’s 22 years in MLB with 2,715 hits, twice leading his league in doubles.       
 That’s not a legacy any of us want to leave. 

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