Remembering the man who changed the Packers:Bob Harlan

A few years into his time as President and CEO of the Packers, Harlan made a big change.

This change would be one step to bringing back the title back to “Tittletown”

Harlan removed the executive committee of the board of directors from taking part in football decisions.

Instead he gave Ron Wolf full control over all football decisions in 1991.

Wolf made some of the biggest moves that helped the Packers get back to the Super Bowl

Hiring Mike Holmgren, trading for Brett Favre and signing Reggie White.

Those are just a few of the decision that Wolf made.

But without Harlan, those moves would have never happened.

Harlan re-instilled the winning tradition that had long been gone from the Packers.

From 1993-2007, the Packers had a 152-88 record.

Furthermore, after a 30 year drought, the Packers finally won their first Super Bowl in 1997.

To echo what Harlan said during the trophy presentation, “I think its time, Terry (Bradshaw) to bring the Lombardi trophy home, where it belongs.”

Changes off the field

As much as Harlan took care of the Packers on the Field, he took care of the team off the field as well.

Harlan realized the importance of keeping the team in Green Bay.

He knew there would come a time where Lambeau Field would need to be more than a football stadium.

In 2000, Harlan proposed a 295 million redevelopment and renovation of historic Lambeau Field.

But before the renovation, the proposal had to pass a vote, that would increase the sales tax in Green Bay.

While some people were accepting of this, some weren’t so sure about it.

Harlan did his part though to convince the people of Green Bay it will be worth it.

Campaigning the “Yes” vote around the city, walking around the Green Bay neighborhoods to explain why it would be worth it.

That was the type of person Harlan was, a man of the community.

In the end, the proposal got the yes vote and by 2003 Lambeau Field wasn’t just a green and gold stadium.

It was a stadium with nice brick outlining the outside of the stadium, with a brand new atrium.

The renovations made Lambeau field more than a football stadium, it became a tourist destination.

With the Pro Shop and Hall of Fame inside, it was your one stop shop for all things Packers.

All this at the hands of Bob Harlan.

Some could also say that without the renovations, there would be no Titletown district.

Without the Tittletown district, Green Bay wouldn’t be developing into what it is today.

Harlan’s Legacy

In the end, when you look at where the Packers are at as a team and as a city, it wouldn’t be where it is at without Bob Harlan.

Harlan did all he could to keep the team he loved, in Green Bay.

Not only did he do just that, he made Green Bay what it is today.

If you ever need a visual of what Bob Harlan legacy is?

Take a look at Lambeau Field as that is the house that Harlan built.