Staroba grew up in Flint, Michigan, attended St. Matthew High School in Flint, and played high school football as a running back.[1]
University of Michigan
Staroba enrolled at the University of Michigan and played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1968 to 1970. He saw limited playing time as a sophomore and junior, catching 11 passes for 158 yards in 1968 and 12 passes for 141 yards in 1969. As a senior, Staroba became a starter and caught 35 passes for 519 yards.[2] He had the best game of his career on October 31, 1970, in a 29-15 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. He caught six passes from Don Moorhead for a total of 178 receiving yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion.[3] Staroba also served as Michigan's punter, punted for 2,240 yards in 1970 (including 401 yards against Arizona), and led the Big Ten, and finished fourth in the country, with a 41.5 yard average in 1970.[1][4]
Professional football
Staroba was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (66th overall pick) of the 1971 NFL draft.[5] He spent the 1971 NFL season on the "cab squad" and appeared in eight games, one as a starter, for the Browns during the 1972 NFL season.[5] Staroba had a 19-yard reception for the game-winning touchdown against the Denver Broncos.[6]
In June 1973, the Browns traded Staroba to the Washington Redskins in exchange for an undisclosed future draft choice.[4] He caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Sonny Jurgenson in an exhibition game against the Broncos,[7] but he was released by the Redskins in early September 1973.[8] He was signed by the Green Bay Packers in early December 1973,[9] appeared in two games, and made one catch for a 23-yard gain.[5] Staroba also had 12 punts for an average of 31.1 yards for the Packers.[10]
In July 1974, Staroba was one of players arrested for picketing a scrimmage between Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bearsreplacement players during the 1974 NFL strike despite a restraining order obtained by the Packers to keep them at a distance from Lambeau Field.[11]
Post-football life
After retiring from football, Staroba worked for an Anheuser-Busch dealership in Flint, Michigan. Staroba and his wife, Wendy, were married in approximately 1974, settled in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and had five daughters.[1]