Bob Harlan Obituary, Death; The Green Bay Packers organization and the broader football world are mourning the passing of Bob Harlan, the longtime Packers president who died on Thursday at the age of 89, according to his family.
Harlan was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in franchise history, helping guide the Packers through one of the most successful periods the team has ever experienced. During his tenure, he played a key role in restoring the organization’s competitive standing and strengthening its leadership structure.
Serving as president from 1989 until his retirement in 2008, Harlan left office as the winningest president in National Football League history. His leadership helped shape a modern era of success for the storied franchise.
Among Harlan’s most notable achievements was his role in building championship-winning leadership. He remains the only executive in NFL history to hire two different general managers who went on to win Super Bowl titles with different rosters.
He first hired Ron Wolf, whose leadership helped bring a championship to Green Bay with a victory in the 1996 season. Years later, Harlan hired Ted Thompson, who constructed the roster that captured another Super Bowl title following the 2010 season.
Beyond championships, Harlan was credited with helping stabilize and modernize the Packers organization, reinforcing its unique community ownership structure while maintaining a commitment to excellence on and off the field.
Players, executives, and fans across the league have begun sharing tributes honoring his leadership, vision, and lasting influence on professional football.
Though he stepped down from his role nearly two decades ago, Bob Harlan’s impact on the Packers and the NFL remains deeply woven into the team’s legacy—one defined by strong leadership, historic success, and a lasting commitment to the Green Bay community. 🏈