GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) 鈥� Bob Harlan, the Green Bay Packers鈥� president and CEO for nearly two decades as the franchise regained its status as a consistent winner, has died. He was 89.
The Packers announced Thursday that Harlan died earlier that day in Green Bay after a brief illness, citing Harlan’s family. Team historian Cliff Christl said Harlan had recently been hospitalized with pneumonia.
Harlan was the father of longtime sports broadcaster Kevin Harlan.
Harlan joined the Packers in 1971 and was elected president and CEO of the NFL鈥檚 only publicly owned franchise in 1989. He served in that role until his retirement in January 2008.
鈥淏ob restored the Packers鈥� tradition of excellence, winning a Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today,鈥� NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 鈥淗e also contributed substantially to our league, helping ensure that all cities, large or small, could be successful.”
During Harlan鈥檚 tenure, the Packers had 13 straight winning seasons from 1992-2004, won a Super Bowl during the 1996 season and got back the Super Bowl the following year. Harlan also was the Packers鈥� president/CEO during the $295 million redevelopment of Lambeau Field.
鈥淏ob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational,鈥� Packers president/CEO Ed Policy said in a statement. 鈥淔rom his inspired hiring of (general manager) Ron Wolf to turn around the club鈥檚 on-field fortunes to his tireless work to redevelop Lambeau Field, Bob restored the Packers to competitive excellence during his tenure and helped ensure our unique and treasured flagship NFL franchise was on sound footing for sustained generational success.
鈥淲e send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Madeline, and the entire Harlan family.鈥�
Harlan鈥檚 selection of Wolf as general manager came in 1991. At the time, the Packers had made just two playoff appearances since winning back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1966 and 1967 seasons.
Wolf reversed the Packers鈥� fortunes by acquiring Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons and adding Hall of Fame pass rusher Reggie White in free agency.
鈥淏ob Harlan鈥檚 leadership of the Green Bay Packers was outstanding,鈥� Favre said in a statement released by the team. 鈥淗iring Ron Wolf and supporting the trade that brought me to Green Bay changed my career. The organization believed in me and gave me the opportunity.
鈥淗e was so supportive of me during the challenges I faced in my career. Challenges my family faced, too. He was always there offering his support. He was a great and kind man.鈥�
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