ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Thursday that former Green Bay Packers president (1989-2006) and CEO (1989-2008) Bob Harlan passed away on Thursday afternoon. According to Schefter, he remains the only man in NFL history to hire two different general managers to win a Super Bowl.
Minutes after Schefter’s report, the Packers made a statement on the passing of Harlan. Below is the team’s statement, leading into tributes to Harlan that featured words from current president and CEO Ed Policy, former
president and CEO Mark Murphy, current general manager Brian Gutekunst, former general manager Ron Wolf, former head coach Mike Holmgren, former head coach Mike McCarthy, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and more:
Former Green Bay Packers President and CEO Bob Harlan passed away Thursday, March 5, following a brief illness. Harlan was 89.
“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.”
Harlan, who originally joined the organization in 1971, was elected President and CEO in 1989 and served as principal executive until his retirement in January 2008.
On the field, the Packers enjoyed a resurgence under Harlan’s guidance, posting the league’s best overall record, 152-88, from 1993-2007, and returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay with a victory in Super Bowl XXXI. The successful period also included 13 straight .500-or-better seasons (1992-2004), an impressive accomplishment in the free agency era and the team’s best stretch since the 1930s and ’40s.
Off the field, the crowning achievement of Harlan’s tenure — the $295 million redevelopment of historic Lambeau Field — was ushered in at the beginning of the 2003 season and has stood as a key component of the team’s financial strength for ongoing success.
Harlan and his wife, Madeline, were deeply involved in the greater Green Bay community through the years, serving on many boards and donating time to many charitable causes. Both had been the recipient of multiple honors, both on a local and state basis, including Bob being honored three times by his alma mater, Marquette University, in 1997. In 2007, Harlan penned his autobiography, Green and Golden Moments: Bob Harlan and the Green Bay Packers.
In addition to Madeline, Harlan is survived by his son, Kevin (Ann) Harlan of Mission Hills, Kan., and their children: Abigail (Bobby) Sight and their daughter, Scarlett; Haley (Jerry) Mancuso and their children, JJ, Mary Madeline, and Matilda; Olivia (Sam Dekker) Harlan Dekker and their children, Harlan Wolf and Christian; and Robert (Gabriella) Harlan and their son, Francis; and by his son, Bryan (Barbara) Harlan of Chicago and their daughter, Katie; and his son, Michael (Cortney) Harlan of Verona, Wis.
Arrangements are pending.
You can also read the Packers’ obituary of Harlan, which was written by team historian Cliff Christl.
