Paul Tagliabue has passed away.
The former NFL commissioner died at the age of 84 at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the league confirmed Sunday (November 9).
He first took on the role in 1989, and served for 17 years before being replaced by Roger Goodell in 2006.
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Roger issued a statement via the NFL.
“All of us in the NFL are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Tagliabue, whose principled leadership and vision put the NFL on the path to unparalleled success,” he said.
“Throughout his decades-long leadership on behalf of the NFL, first as outside counsel and then during a powerful 17-year tenure as commissioner, Paul served with integrity, passion and an unwavering conviction to do what was best for the league. Paul was the ultimate steward of the game — tall in stature, humble in presence and decisive in his loyalty to the NFL.
“He viewed every challenge and opportunity through the lens of what was best for the greater good, a principle he inherited from Pete Rozelle and passed on to me. … I am forever grateful and proud to have Paul as my friend and mentor. I cherished the innumerable hours we spent together where he helped shape me as an executive but also as a man, husband and father. Jane and I extend our heartfelt condolences to entire Tagliabue family, especially Chan, his wife of 60 years, and their children Drew and Emily,” the statement concluded.
His apparent cause of death was heart failure complicated by Parkinson’s disease, his family told The Athletic.
In addition, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Georgetown University from 2009 to 2015. Paul was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2020, and formally enshrined in 2021.
“In examining what makes the NFL so compelling, I always return to the players who make the game what it is. The athletes who thrive in the competitive environment of the National Football League tend to be intensely motivated individuals with clear values and exceptional goals. We need to respect the players for having these qualities and for what they represent as leaders in sports and in society,” he said in his speech, via People.
Our thoughts are with Paul Tagliabue‘s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. RIP.
