Bob Harlan, Former Packers President, Passes Away
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The world of American football mourns the loss of Bob Harlan, former president of the Green Bay Packers, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 89, according to his family. Harlan, recognized for his vision and leadership, played a fundamental role in the revitalization of the franchise, taking it to the top of success. Cliff Christl, team historian, reported that Harlan had recently been hospitalized due to pneumonia. An unprecedented event in NFL history is that Harlan is the only person who has hired two general managers who won Super Bowls with completely different teams: Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson. “Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformative. From his inspired hiring of Ron Wolf to turn the team’s fortunes around on the field to his tireless work to remodel Lambeau Field, Bob restored the Packers to competitive excellence during his tenure and helped ensure that our unique and treasured NFL franchise was on a solid foundation for sustained generational success. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Madeline, and the entire Harlan family,” stated Ed Policy, current President and CEO of the Packers. Harlan assumed the presidency of the team in 1989, when the franchise was more than two decades away from the success of the Vince Lombardi era. One of his first decisions was to hire Wolf as general manager in 1991. This opened the way for Wolf to hire Mike Holmgren as head coach, trade for quarterback Brett Favre, and sign Reggie White. The Packers won Super Bowl XXXI during Harlan’s tenure. Wolf was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Harlan served as president and CEO until his retirement in 2008. Before retiring, he hired Thompson as general manager, which led to another championship, in Super Bowl XLV, with Mike McCarthy as coach and Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. Harlan was also largely responsible for the renovation of Lambeau Field, which reopened in 2003 and secured the Packers from a competitive financial standpoint. The initial $295 million renovation needed to be approved by Brown County voters, and Harlan played a key role in persuading the public to support the measure. This paved the way for what Lambeau Field has become today, a year-round destination that also includes the Titletown area with restaurants, office buildings, a luxury hotel, and residences. Before becoming team president, Harlan served in the Packers as assistant general manager (1971-75), corporate general manager (1975-81), assistant to the corporate president (1981-88), and executive vice president of administration (1988-89). Harlan was elected to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2004 and has a place in front of Lambeau Field named after him. Harlan was the father of the renowned sports commentator Kevin Harlan.“Bob Harlan gave me an opportunity, and I am deeply grateful for that. His greatest trait, in my opinion, is that he was an honorable man, a man of his word, a man of character. It was an honor to know him and a pleasure to work with him,” Wolf said in a statement.
Ron Wolf
