Bob Harlan, the man who brought the Green Bay Packers back to glory, passed away Thursday at the age of 89. His family shared the news, noting that he had been hospitalized for pneumonia.
Harlan was a unique figure in the NFL. He is the only person to hire two general managers—Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson—who both won Super Bowls with different teams. Current Packers president Ed Policy praised Harlan’s visionary leadership and the lasting impact he had on the franchise.
When Harlan took over as president in 1989, the Packers were struggling. He made a bold move by hiring Wolf in 1991. This decision changed everything. Wolf later brought in Mike Holmgren as head coach and traded for star quarterback Brett Favre. During Harlan’s time, the Packers clinched Super Bowl XXXI.
“Bob gave me a chance, and I’ll always be grateful,” Wolf said. “He was an honorable man and a pleasure to work with.”
Harlan’s influence didn’t stop at hiring. He oversaw the major renovation of Lambeau Field, which reopened in 2003 and helped secure the team’s financial stability. The $295 million renovation was a community effort, requiring approval from local voters. Harlan was instrumental in garnering that support, paving the way for Lambeau Field to become a popular year-round destination.
Before his presidency, Harlan had held various roles within the Packers organization, starting as an assistant general manager in 1971 and moving up to executive vice president of administration by 1989.
Recognizing his contributions, Harlan was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2004, and a plaza at Lambeau Field is named in his honor. He is also known as the father of sports broadcaster Kevin Harlan.
Harlan’s legacy reminds us how visionary leadership can turn a struggling franchise into a beacon of success. His story is a testament to the power of good management and community engagement in sports.
