Former Packers president Bob Harlan dies at 89

Former Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan died on Thursday following a brief illness, the franchise announced. He was 89 years old.

For the past few decades, few NFL franchises have been stable and successful as the Packers, who have thrived while occupying the smallest city in major American professional sports. Harlan’s leadership was a major reason for that, overseeing a revitalization of the team during his tenure from 1989 to 2008.

He was also the father of beloved NBA broadcaster Kevin Harlan.

From the Packers:

“The Packers family was saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Harlan,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. “Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational. 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.

“We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Madeline, and the entire Harlan family.”

A graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Harlan got his professional start in public relations positions with his alma mater and the St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Packers in 1971 as assistant general manager. He steadily rose through the team’s executive ranks up to 1989, when he was handed the reins of a team behind the curve.

At the time, the Packers had reached the playoffs only twice and posted only won postseason win since their victories in Super Bowl I and II. Their usual home of Lambeau Field was old and small enough that the team had resorted to playing several home games at the larger Milwaukee County Stadium. They hadn’t had a full-time general manager since Bart Starr since 1980, with their executive committee, mostly local businessmen, steering football decisions.

Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan talks about the renovation of Lambeau Field from a luxury box in the stadium, July 28, 2003, in Green Bay, Wis. The NFL's smallest town has gone big time with a $295 million makeover of historic stadium. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) — The Packers became a different franchise under Bob Harlan. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Harlan pushed for changes on all of those matters. He hired general manager Ron Wolf, who hired head coach Mike Sherman, traded for Brett Favre and helped shape the team into a perennial contender, winning Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.

He also led the transformation of Lambeau Field into its modern form, with a far larger capacity and attractions such as the Packers Hall of Fame he is now a part of.

One of the final major moves of Harlan’s tenure was the drafting of Aaron Rodgers, who spoke glowingly of the man in a quote released by the team:

“Bob is one of the most naturally funny people that I met in the organization during my 18 years. Whether we were laughing on the bus for four days on the Tailgate Tour, embracing in the locker room after a game, or catching up at the holiday party every year, I lit up every day I got to see Mr. Harlan and give him a big hug.

“To me, Bob embodied the spirit of the Green Bay Packers and he truly loved leading the greatest franchise in the NFL. His kind heart, quick wit and steady hand will be remembered by Packers people forever.

As ESPN notes, Harlan is the only person in league history to hire two different GMs that won Super Bowls with different rosters.

Per the Packers, Harlan is survived by his wife Madeline, three sons, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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