NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledges Bob Harlan's profound influence, celebrating a legacy of Super Bowl wins and Lambeau Field's iconic renovation.
The Green Bay Packers have lost one of their true all-time greats.
Bob Harlan, former team president and CEO, died on Thursday, March 5, at 89 years old.
Harlan joined the Packers in 1971 as their assistant general manager, and he worked his way up to President and CEO by 1989.
Under Harlan's guidance, the Packers posted the NFL's best record from 1993 to 2007. He oversaw the team that won Super Bowl XXXI, and the period of his leadership saw the Packers have 13-straight .500-or-better seasons.
He played a massive role in overseeing the legendary careers of fellow executives like Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson and was also integral during the years that saw the Packers take the league by storm under Brett Favre and Mike Holmgren, only to follow that up with the coaching/quarterback duo of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers.
Harlan also oversaw the $295 million redevelopment of Lambeau Field ahead of the 2003 season.
He was one of the most influential figures not just in Green Bay history, but in NFL history as well.
As such, it's no surprise that current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement after the news of his passing came out.
"The entire NFL family mourns the loss of longtime Green Bay Packers CEO Bob Harlan," Goodell said. "Bob restored the Packers' tradition of excellence, winning a Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today. He also contributed substantially to our league, helping ensure that all cities, large or small, could be successful. Bob came to Green Bay in 1971 and never left, spending more than half a century in his beloved community. Our thoughts are with his family and Packer fans everywhere."
The Packers also released a statement on Harlan's death.
"Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational," said current President and CEO Ed Policy. "From his inspired hiring of Ron Wolf to turn around the club's 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."
Harlan has been the Packers Chairman Emeritus since resigning his position to Mark Murphy in 2008.
He was a great representative of the Packers and perhaps McCarthy said it best.
"Bob Harlan is the definition of what the Green Bay Packers embody. The foundation for continuous decades of success falls directly at his feet -- and heart."