Bob Harlan, the previous Inexperienced Bay Packers president and CEO who served the franchise in varied capacities since 1971, died Thursday following an sickness, in line with the Packers. He was 89.
Harlan, who was elected as president and CEO in 1989, oversaw a revival of essentially the most historic franchise within the NFL. The Packers registered 13 straight seasons of .500 or higher from 1992-2004, and captured a Lombardi Trophy in 1997 by defeating the New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl XXXI, 35-21.
“The Packers household was saddened to be taught of the passing of Bob Harlan,” Packers president and CEO Ed Coverage mentioned in an announcement. “Bob was a visionary chief whose impression on the franchise was transformational. From his impressed hiring of Ron Wolf to show across the membership’s on-field fortunes to his tireless work to redevelop Lambeau Subject, Bob restored the Packers to aggressive excellence throughout his tenure and helped guarantee our distinctive and treasured flagship NFL franchise was on sound footing for sustained generational success.
“We ship our deepest sympathies to his spouse, Madeline, and the whole Harlan household.”
Harlan’s hiring of basic supervisor Ron Wolf in 1991 was crucial, as he additionally employed Mike Holmgren as head coach, traded for quarterback Brett Favre, and signed the legendary Reggie White in free company. Inexperienced Bay instantly snapped a streak of two shedding seasons, made the playoffs for the primary time in a decade in 1993, and appeared within the NFC Championship sport the very subsequent 12 months. Following that loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers went 13-3 in 1996 and gained the Tremendous Bowl.
“Bob Harlan’s management of the Inexperienced Bay Packers was excellent,” Favre mentioned of Harlan in an announcement. “Hiring Ron Wolf and supporting the commerce that introduced me to Inexperienced Bay modified my profession. The group believed in me and gave me the chance.
“He was so supportive of me throughout the challenges I confronted in my profession. Challenges my household confronted, too. He was all the time there providing his assist. He was an ideal and type man.
“I appreciated the way in which he represented the Packers and linked so properly with Packers followers. I additionally actually loved his humorousness and cherished the moments we shared through the years.
“I do know profitable the Tremendous Bowl and bringing the Lombardi Trophy again to Inexperienced Bay was a proud second for him, what the workforce achieved. It was unbelievable to be part of the resurgence of this nice franchise and Bob set the tone together with his management.”
When Wolf stepped down in 2001, the Packers gave coach Mike Sherman managerial duties for 4 seasons earlier than bringing former director of participant personnel Ted Thompson again to Inexperienced Bay. Thompson’s first choice got here at No. 24 general within the 2005 NFL Draft, a decide he used on a quarterback by the identify of Aaron Rodgers. Inexperienced Bay would go on to win its fourth Tremendous Bowl (XLV) in 2011, making Harlan the one government in NFL historical past to rent two totally different basic managers that gained Tremendous Bowls with completely totally different rosters, per ESPN.
Harlan did much more than simply area a profitable soccer workforce. Again in 2000, he helped produce and fought for a $295 million redevelopment plan of Lambeau Subject. His successor, Mark Murphy, mentioned Harlan was the “Most chargeable for Lambeau Subject turning into essentially the most iconic stadium within the NFL.”
Harlan was elected to the Inexperienced Bay Packers Corridor of Fame in 2004 and the Wisconsin Athletic Corridor of Fame in 2009.
