San Antonio - An 81-year-old woman from Kerrville, Texas, has been charged with an alleged extortion attempt for sending letters to Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr asking him for $2 million
A typed, computer-generated letter that authorities contend Ruby Y. Young mailed alleges a vague encounter with Starr in 1960. But the Hall of Fame quarterback denies even knowing the woman, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday.
Starr, 72, reached by phone at his Birmingham home, said he had no further comment.
The letters, quoted only partly in the affidavit, are vague as to any connection between Young and Starr. But prosecutors said Young claims the two had a romantic relationship.
Starr turned the letter over to investigators with the U.S. Postal Service.
The letter, which listed a return address for an E.H. Young, was mailed to a business office for a ranch for troubled youths that Starr founded.
The affidavit indicates an investigator acted as if he were Starr and wrote back a response to the letter, prompting two more to Starr.
The first letter, dated Oct. 30, said in part, "The time has come for you to pay - to pay for the many injuries you caused me. . . How much is it worth to preserve this 'image'. . . of who and what you are?"
Young was freed on bond after a hearing in federal court in San Antonio. She would not speak with reporters.
Starr's son, Bart Starr Jr., said Wednesday that his mother, Cherry, recalled a situation some 30 years ago when a woman from Texas named Ruby claimed she had met Starr. The woman described the man she met as "a great big guy" - quite unlike Starr.
Her husband later called the Starrs to apologize and said his wife needed help, the younger Starr said.
Just goes to show you that you don't always gain wisdom with age....sheesh!
Bart was my first sports hero. It was because of his integrity as much as anything. No way did this ever happen as she said.
A typed, computer-generated letter that authorities contend Ruby Y. Young mailed alleges a vague encounter with Starr in 1960. But the Hall of Fame quarterback denies even knowing the woman, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday.
Starr, 72, reached by phone at his Birmingham home, said he had no further comment.
The letters, quoted only partly in the affidavit, are vague as to any connection between Young and Starr. But prosecutors said Young claims the two had a romantic relationship.
Starr turned the letter over to investigators with the U.S. Postal Service.
The letter, which listed a return address for an E.H. Young, was mailed to a business office for a ranch for troubled youths that Starr founded.
The affidavit indicates an investigator acted as if he were Starr and wrote back a response to the letter, prompting two more to Starr.
The first letter, dated Oct. 30, said in part, "The time has come for you to pay - to pay for the many injuries you caused me. . . How much is it worth to preserve this 'image'. . . of who and what you are?"
Young was freed on bond after a hearing in federal court in San Antonio. She would not speak with reporters.
Starr's son, Bart Starr Jr., said Wednesday that his mother, Cherry, recalled a situation some 30 years ago when a woman from Texas named Ruby claimed she had met Starr. The woman described the man she met as "a great big guy" - quite unlike Starr.
Her husband later called the Starrs to apologize and said his wife needed help, the younger Starr said.
Just goes to show you that you don't always gain wisdom with age....sheesh!
Bart was my first sports hero. It was because of his integrity as much as anything. No way did this ever happen as she said.
als: :doh:
