Legendary former Packers President and CEO Bob Harlan dead at 89

Bob Harlan, who served arsenic Green Bay Packers president and CEO for astir 2 decades, has died. He was 89. 

The Packers announced Harlan’s decease earlier Thursday, saying his household informed them of his decease aft a little illness. Team historiographer Cliff Christl noted Harlan had precocious been hospitalized with pneumonia. 

Current Packers President and CEO Ed Policy released a statement. 

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Bob Harlan, erstwhile CEO of the Green Bay Packers, speaks during a quality league regarding the status of backmost Brett Favre astatine Lambeau Field successful Green Bay, Wis., March 4, 2008.  (Matt Ludtke/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"The Packers household was saddened to larn of the passing of Bob Harlan," Policy’s connection connected societal media said.

"Bob was a visionary person whose interaction connected the franchise was transformational. From his inspired hiring of Ron Wolf to crook astir the club’s on-field fortunes to his tireless enactment to redevelop Lambeau Field, Bob restored the Packers to competitory excellence during his tenure and helped guarantee our unsocial and treasured flagship NFL franchise was connected dependable footing for sustained generational success. 

"We nonstop our deepest sympathies to his wife, Madeline, and the full Harlan family."

Harlan joined the Packers successful 1971, but helium wasn’t elected president and CEO until 1989. But aft helium was elected to pb the publically owned franchise, helium wouldn’t determination from the relation until retiring successful 2008. 

Harlan was pivotal successful getting the Packers backmost to being a accordant victor successful the NFL, or, arsenic NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, helium brought the franchise backmost to its tradition. 

"Bob restored the Packers’ contented of excellence, winning a Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today," Goodell said successful a statement. "He besides contributed substantially to our league, helping guarantee that each cities, ample oregon small, could beryllium successful."

Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan waves to the assemblage astatine the renovated Lambeau Field Sept. 6, 2003, successful Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The Packers had winning seasons from 1992-2004 nether Harlan, including a Super Bowl triumph successful 1997 arsenic Brett Favre, who Wolf acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, led the mode passim those years and much arsenic the franchise quarterback. 

As Policy mentioned, Harlan had a imaginativeness for the franchise, which included a $295 cardinal renovation of iconic Lambeau Field. 

"Bob Harlan’s enactment of the Green Bay Packers was outstanding," Favre said successful a connection released by the team. "Hiring Ron Wolf and supporting the commercialized that brought maine to Green Bay changed my career. The enactment believed successful maine and gave maine the opportunity.

Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan talks astir the renovation of Lambeau Field from a luxury container successful the stadium July 28, 2003, successful Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

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"He was truthful supportive of maine during the challenges I faced successful my career. Challenges my household faced, too. He was ever determination offering his support. He was a large and benignant man."

Harlan is besides the begetter of longtime sports broadcaster Kevin Harlan. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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