Bob Harlan, a Green Bay Packers executive who helped return the team to its 1960s glory days, has passed away at 89.
The Packers revealed his death on Thursday, explaining he passed away earlier in the day following a brief illness. He had recently been hospitalized with pneumonia, according to team historian Cliff Christl.
Harlan was the father of longtime sports broadcaster Kevin Harlan, who currently calls NBA games for Amazon Prime Video in addition to NFL duties with CBS Sports and Westwood One radio.
The elder Harlan joined the Packers in 1971 and was elected president and CEO of the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise in 1989. He served in that role until his retirement in January 2008.
‘Bob restored the Packers’ tradition of excellence, winning a Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today,’ NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
‘He also contributed substantially to our league, helping ensure that all cities, large or small, could be successful.’
Packers president Bob Harlan talks about the hiring of Ted Thompson as GM in 2005
Bob Harlan is the father of Kevin Harlan (right), one of the most popular NBA announcers
During Harlan’s tenure, the Packers had 13 straight winning seasons from 1992-2004, won a Super Bowl during the 1996 season and got back to the Super Bowl the following year.
Harlan also was the Packers’ president/CEO during the $295 million redevelopment of Lambeau Field.
‘Bob was a visionary leader whose impact on the franchise was transformational,’ Packers president/CEO Ed Policy said in a statement.
‘From his inspired hiring of [general manager] 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’s selection of Wolf as general manager came in 1991. At the time, the Packers had made just two playoff appearances since winning back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1966 and 1967 seasons.
Wolf reversed the Packers’ fortunes by acquiring Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons and adding Hall of Fame pass rusher Reggie White in free agency.
Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan signs autographs after the Packers stock holders meeting at Lambeau Field, the stadium he would help to renovate and preserve
‘Bob Harlan’s leadership of the Green Bay Packers was 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 the opportunity.
‘He was so supportive of me during the challenges I faced in my career. Challenges my family faced, too. He was always there offering his support. He was a great and kind man.’
Prior to working with the Packers, Harlan served as the Sports Information Director at his alma mater, Marquette University, and also worked in community and public relations for Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals.
Harlan was working for the Cardinals in 1967 when the Bob Gibson-led club beat the American League-champion Boston Red Sox in seven World Series games.
Harlan is survived by his wife, Madeline Keile. The couple had three children, including Kevin, whose daughter Olivia is now a sideline reporter for ESPN.
