Bob Harlan, former Green Bay Packers president and CEO, dead at 89

Bob Harlan, who served as president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers for nearly two decades, has died. He was 89 years old.

The Packers announced Harlan’s death early Thursday, saying his family notified them of his death after a brief illness. Team historian Cliff Christl noted that Harlan was recently hospitalized with pneumonia.

Current Packers President and CEO Ed Policy released a statement.

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM

In Policy’s statement on social media, “The Packers family was saddened to learn of the death of Bob Harlan.” The statement was included.

“Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformative. From his inspirational hiring of Ron Wolf to transform the club’s fortunes on the field to his tireless work to redevelop Lambeau Field, Bob guided the Packers to competitive excellence during his tenure and helped ensure that our unique and valuable flagship NFL franchise was on a solid foundation for sustainable next-generation success.

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

Harlan joined the Packers in 1971, but was not named president and CEO until 1989. But after being selected to manage the publicly owned franchise, he remained in that position until his retirement in 2008.

Harlan played a pivotal role in making the Packers a consistent winner in the NFL, or as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell put it, bringing the franchise back to tradition.

“Bob revived the Packers’ tradition of excellence by winning the Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today,” Goodell said in a statement. “He also contributed greatly to our league, helping all cities, big or small, to be successful.”

Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan waves to the crowd at the renovated Lambeau Field on September 6, 2003 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The Packers had winning seasons under Harlan from 1992-2004; That includes the Super Bowl victory in 1997, when Brett Favre, whom Wolf acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, led the way as the franchise’s quarterback for those years and beyond.

As Policy noted, Harlan had a vision for the franchise that included a $295 million renovation of the iconic Lambeau Field.

“Bob Harlan’s leadership of the Green Bay Packers has been outstanding,” Favre said in a statement released by the team. “Hiring Ron Wolf and supporting the trade that brought me to Green Bay changed my career. The organization believed in me and gave me this opportunity.

Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan talks about the renovation of Lambeau Field from a luxury box at the stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on July 28, 2003. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“He was very supportive during the challenges I faced in my career. The challenges my family faced as well. He was always there to offer his support. He was a wonderful, kind man.”

Harlan is also the father of longtime sports broadcaster Kevin Harlan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Related Article