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There could be no more fitting place than the Lambeau Field Atrium for Bob Harlan's family, friends, football colleagues and Green Bay Packers fans to celebrate his life.
Harlan, who died March 5 at age 89, helped convince Brown County residents to back the sales tax that partly funded the 2003 renovation of Lambeau Field and addition of the Atrium as a year-round event and gathering space for Packers fans.
His son, broadcaster Kevin Harlan, said during a March 23 celebration of life his dad knew something "drastic" had to be done to help put the Packers on solid financial footing. Now, the Atrium has "become the blueprint, the template for every sports organization" and a springboard for so much more for the Packers and Green Bay, he said.
"I know my dad never in his wildest dreams thought it would lead to this, but since he retired in '06-'07-'08, I remember him talking specifically of the job Mark did to expand and be creative and think outside the box," Harlan said. "Not only is this the most historic franchise in pro football, but it's become now the most innovative. And for little Green Bay, Wisconsin. It's remarkable. It's the best story in sports."
In their ways, both Harlan and the Atrium laid the foundation on which decades of success and growth – stadium expansions, the Titletown district, a Super Bowl victory – would be built. The team's current and former executives and coaches during a March 23 celebration of Harlan's life praised him for setting a leadership and management standard that lives on decades after he formally retired.
"On behalf of all of us (Packers employees), I want to thank Bob for putting a roof over our head. This roof and the Atrium below it would not exist were it not for Bob's vision and his tenacity," Packers President and CEO Ed Policy said. "Bob really set the gold standard for anybody who was going to follow him in this very unique position. I know he was Inspirational to [retired president] Mark Murphy. And he's certainly been inspirational to me."
More: Bob Harlan remembered as decent man who served the Packers, Green Bay
Kevin Harlan, Bob's oldest son, spent almost an hour talking with Policy, Murphy, former Packers coach Mike McCarthy and retired general manager Ron Wolf about the example Bob Harlan set during his tenure leading one of the most storied, unique sports franchises in the world. The celebration of life drew hundreds of Packers fans, team employees and Harlan family members and friends.
They described someone who was driven and committed to make the hard decisions, like asking taxpayers for financial support to expand Lambeau. But they also described Harlan as generous with his time, sincere in even the smallest fan interaction and the embodiment of what it means to represent the green and gold.
Murphy credited Harlan with doing the "hard work" on the expansions and making Lambeau and the Packers a "really special place to work." And while the Packers have invested more than $1 billion into the Lambeau area since 2001, he noted the referendum was the only time the team has sought direct taxpayer support.
"He deserves all the credit. Since then, we haven't needed to go back," Murphy said. He later added: "That one thing that Bob did – the major renovation of Lambeau – has really made such a huge difference. And Titletown and everything else that followed wouldn't have been possible."
Mike McCarthy, now coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, recalled how tiny Lambeau felt in 1999 when he was an assistant on the coaching staff and how "mind-boggling" the transformation was by the time he returned as head coach in 2006.
Kevin Harlan's conversations with Packers leaders about Bob Harlan also led to some fun stories and light moments during the celebration of life. Here's a couple:
Mark Murphy called an audible during the NFL Draft: Murphy said he went "off script" when he announced the Packers' first-round draft pick, Matthew Golden, because he knew the fans had long wanted the team to pick a wide receiver in the first round. Kevin Harlan said his dad loved the pick and the moment.
Harlan picked Ron Wolf up at the airport and they went to Denny's: Harlan, before he was president, first tried to recruit Wolf to Green Bay in 1987. Wolf recalled his flight was delayed due to a snowstorm and he arrived in Green Bay at midnight knowing no one. Harlan met him at the airport. "That was Bob Harlan," Wolf said. "We went to Denny's and talked for two or three hours."
The Green Bay Red Lobster owner offered Reggie White an incentive : Wolf said that while trying to bring Reggie White to Green Bay, they took him to Red Lobster. The owner came out and told White that if he signed with the Packers, he'd make sure he'd prepare filleted catfish for White, even though it wasn't on the menu.
Packers fans' stories and memories of Harlan didn't differ all that much from the stories shared by Kevin Harlan and team leaders. They recalled Harlan as a person whose impact on the Packers and Green Bay were exceeded only by his sincerity and kindness.
Dexter Christian moved to Ashwaubenon in the early 1970s and became a Packers fan during a tough run of losing seasons. He made it a point to attend the celebration at Lambeau Field knowing how different the Packers, and Lambeau Field, have become since he was hired as president.
"I wanted to be here to honor him and spiritually thank him for all he's done for the Packers, the fans and the organization," Christian said.
Manitowoc's Nancy Beaulieu, known as The Cookie Lady to training camp regulars, said she met Harlan once during an event at Lambeau Field years ago and he made an instant impression. Beaulieu wanted to thank him for his public thank you for departed quarterback Brett Favre and Harlan took a few minutes to talk with her.
"I was just so impressed with him. You could just tell he really, really cared," Beaulieu said, comparing Harlan's sincerity and kindness to former wide receiver Donald Driver's.
Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or [email protected]. Follow him on X at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Packers leaders, fans celebrate Bob Harlan's lasting impact on Green Bay
Continue reading...
Harlan, who died March 5 at age 89, helped convince Brown County residents to back the sales tax that partly funded the 2003 renovation of Lambeau Field and addition of the Atrium as a year-round event and gathering space for Packers fans.
His son, broadcaster Kevin Harlan, said during a March 23 celebration of life his dad knew something "drastic" had to be done to help put the Packers on solid financial footing. Now, the Atrium has "become the blueprint, the template for every sports organization" and a springboard for so much more for the Packers and Green Bay, he said.
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"I know my dad never in his wildest dreams thought it would lead to this, but since he retired in '06-'07-'08, I remember him talking specifically of the job Mark did to expand and be creative and think outside the box," Harlan said. "Not only is this the most historic franchise in pro football, but it's become now the most innovative. And for little Green Bay, Wisconsin. It's remarkable. It's the best story in sports."
In their ways, both Harlan and the Atrium laid the foundation on which decades of success and growth – stadium expansions, the Titletown district, a Super Bowl victory – would be built. The team's current and former executives and coaches during a March 23 celebration of Harlan's life praised him for setting a leadership and management standard that lives on decades after he formally retired.
"On behalf of all of us (Packers employees), I want to thank Bob for putting a roof over our head. This roof and the Atrium below it would not exist were it not for Bob's vision and his tenacity," Packers President and CEO Ed Policy said. "Bob really set the gold standard for anybody who was going to follow him in this very unique position. I know he was Inspirational to [retired president] Mark Murphy. And he's certainly been inspirational to me."
More: Bob Harlan remembered as decent man who served the Packers, Green Bay
Harlan made the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field a special place
Kevin Harlan, Bob's oldest son, spent almost an hour talking with Policy, Murphy, former Packers coach Mike McCarthy and retired general manager Ron Wolf about the example Bob Harlan set during his tenure leading one of the most storied, unique sports franchises in the world. The celebration of life drew hundreds of Packers fans, team employees and Harlan family members and friends.
They described someone who was driven and committed to make the hard decisions, like asking taxpayers for financial support to expand Lambeau. But they also described Harlan as generous with his time, sincere in even the smallest fan interaction and the embodiment of what it means to represent the green and gold.
You must be registered for see images
Murphy credited Harlan with doing the "hard work" on the expansions and making Lambeau and the Packers a "really special place to work." And while the Packers have invested more than $1 billion into the Lambeau area since 2001, he noted the referendum was the only time the team has sought direct taxpayer support.
"He deserves all the credit. Since then, we haven't needed to go back," Murphy said. He later added: "That one thing that Bob did – the major renovation of Lambeau – has really made such a huge difference. And Titletown and everything else that followed wouldn't have been possible."
Mike McCarthy, now coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, recalled how tiny Lambeau felt in 1999 when he was an assistant on the coaching staff and how "mind-boggling" the transformation was by the time he returned as head coach in 2006.
You must be registered for see images attach
Dining at Denny's with Ron Wolf, Mark Murphy's draft audible, and other fun Bob Harlan stories shared
Kevin Harlan's conversations with Packers leaders about Bob Harlan also led to some fun stories and light moments during the celebration of life. Here's a couple:
Mark Murphy called an audible during the NFL Draft: Murphy said he went "off script" when he announced the Packers' first-round draft pick, Matthew Golden, because he knew the fans had long wanted the team to pick a wide receiver in the first round. Kevin Harlan said his dad loved the pick and the moment.
Harlan picked Ron Wolf up at the airport and they went to Denny's: Harlan, before he was president, first tried to recruit Wolf to Green Bay in 1987. Wolf recalled his flight was delayed due to a snowstorm and he arrived in Green Bay at midnight knowing no one. Harlan met him at the airport. "That was Bob Harlan," Wolf said. "We went to Denny's and talked for two or three hours."
The Green Bay Red Lobster owner offered Reggie White an incentive : Wolf said that while trying to bring Reggie White to Green Bay, they took him to Red Lobster. The owner came out and told White that if he signed with the Packers, he'd make sure he'd prepare filleted catfish for White, even though it wasn't on the menu.
Packers fans remember Bob Harlan's impact, generosity and sincerity
Packers fans' stories and memories of Harlan didn't differ all that much from the stories shared by Kevin Harlan and team leaders. They recalled Harlan as a person whose impact on the Packers and Green Bay were exceeded only by his sincerity and kindness.
Dexter Christian moved to Ashwaubenon in the early 1970s and became a Packers fan during a tough run of losing seasons. He made it a point to attend the celebration at Lambeau Field knowing how different the Packers, and Lambeau Field, have become since he was hired as president.
You must be registered for see images
"I wanted to be here to honor him and spiritually thank him for all he's done for the Packers, the fans and the organization," Christian said.
Manitowoc's Nancy Beaulieu, known as The Cookie Lady to training camp regulars, said she met Harlan once during an event at Lambeau Field years ago and he made an instant impression. Beaulieu wanted to thank him for his public thank you for departed quarterback Brett Favre and Harlan took a few minutes to talk with her.
"I was just so impressed with him. You could just tell he really, really cared," Beaulieu said, comparing Harlan's sincerity and kindness to former wide receiver Donald Driver's.
Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or [email protected]. Follow him on X at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Packers leaders, fans celebrate Bob Harlan's lasting impact on Green Bay
Continue reading...
