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Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has died at the age of 84.
Tagliabue reportedly died on Sunday morning in Chevy Chase, Maryland as a result of heart failure complicated by Parkinson's disease. He leaves behind wife Chandler, son Drew and daughter Emily.
Tagliabue served as NFL commissioner between 1989 and 2006, when current incumbent Roger Goodell took over.
In a statement, Goodell said: '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.
'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.'
Ex-NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, pictured with wife Chandler, has died at the age of 84
During Tagliabue's 17-year stint as commissioner, the NFL experienced labor peace, saw skyrocketing television deals, construction of new stadiums across the nation, and expansion to the current 32-team makeup.
He also maneuvered the league through such crises and events as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans.
Despite those credentials that continued pro football's surge to the top of American sports, it took until a special centennial class in 2020 for Tagliabue to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after retiring in 2006.
Tagliabue oversaw a myriad of new stadiums and negotiated television contracts that added billions of dollars to the league´s bank account.
Under him, there were no labor stoppages and a very workable environment with the NFL Players Association - an atmosphere that no longer exists.
Among his major achievements was implementing a policy on substance abuse that was considered the strongest in all major sports.
He also established the 'Rooney Rule' in which all teams with coaching vacancies must interview minority candidates.
Tom Brady accepts the MVP award from Tagliabue in 2004, while playing for the Patriots
It has since been expanded to include front-office and league executive positions, and although the rule is named for the late Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it could easily have carried Tagliabue´s ID.
In one of his pivotal moments, Tagliabue called off NFL games the weekend after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
One move Tagliabue never regretted was insisting the Saints remain a New Orleans franchise after owner Tom Benson sought to move the team to San Antonio following the devastation in the Big Easy from Hurricane Katrina.
Tagliabue is one of just four NFL commissioners or presidents in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with Joe Carr, Bert Bell and Rozelle.
