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Legendary Packers executive Bob Harlan passes away at 89

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Nathan Yasis | Last updated Mar 6, 2026 2:18 AM ET

Bob Harlan, the former president of the Green Bay Packers who guided the franchise to two Super Bowl titles during his tenure, passed away at 89 years old.

Harlan stepped into the role of team president in 1989, nearly twenty years after the era of Vince Lombardi had ended and the franchise had faded from its former glory. After taking charge of the organization, he quickly made a defining move by hiring Ron Wolf as general manager. That decision helped push the Green Bay Packers back toward championship contention and eventually guided the franchise to another Super Bowl title.

Ron Wolf later brought in Mike Holmgren to serve as Green Bay’s head coach. He also executed key trades that brought Reggie White and Brett Favre to the Packers. Those major roster moves helped transform the franchise into a championship contender and ultimately led to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI.

Bob Harlan’s legacy with the Packers

“Bob Harlan gave me an opportunity, and I am deeply indebted to him for that,” Wolf commented via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “His greatest trait, in my opinion, is that he was an honorable man, a man of his word, a man of character. He was an honor to know and a pleasure to work with.”

Bob Harlan remained in the role of team president until 2008. During the later part of his tenure, he made another significant leadership decision by appointing Ted Thompson as the Packers’ general manager. Under Thompson’s leadership, the franchise made a pivotal move in the 2005 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

After spending his early years in Green Bay backing up Brett Favre, Rodgers eventually took over the starting role and developed into one of the most productive and precise quarterbacks the league has ever seen. He later guided the Packers to another championship, helping the franchise capture its fourth Lombardi Trophy with a victory in Super Bowl XLV.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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