WISCONSIN IS GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WISCONSIN IS GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WISCONSIN IS GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WISCONSIN IS GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WISCONSIN IS GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
#BADGERS
I'm not sure many fans realize how transformative Bob Harlan was to the Packers franchise.
By the time he took over as team president in 1989, the Packers had just two playoff appearances in the last 21 seasons. In addition, the franchise had become a sore spot in the NFL with aging facilities, off-field scandals, and a generally poor reputation among players.
Within years of taking over, Harlan restructured the organization, handing Ron Wolf near total control of the football operation. That trust resulted in a complete roster reset after the 1991 season that netted a new head coach in Mike Holmgren.
With Holmgren at the helm, the team had multiple successful drafts and big acquisitions, notably Brett Favre and Reggie White. That rebuild laid the groundwork for an unprecedented run of success we're still seeing to this day.
More importantly, though, Harlan ensured the Packers would remain a viable NFL franchise for years to come. His biggest achievement was the referendum in the early 2000s that completely reshaped Lambeau Field and made it a year-round destination. Additionally, those Lambeau renovations set the stage for further development in what is known today as the Titletown District.
It's hard to say where the Packers would be without Bob Harlan, but we as fans owe him an immense debt of gratitude for all he did for the team we love.
RIP Mr. Harlan, and thank you