The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 21

Sunday, December 24, 2006 Page 5C HARLAN'S LAST HURRAH Harlan bids Packers fans farewell The Des Moines Register ST HARLAN, from Page 1C 1 Harlan looked out for 'greater good' Green Bay, Wis. Even In the cut-throat dub ot NFL executives, Bob Harlan has always been regarded as a team player. 'He's always looked at the greater good ot the league, which I think Is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said ot Harlan, the Des Moines native who's retiring in May as chief executive officer of the Green Bay Packers. "Every club has Its own Interests on a local basis, but there's also the Importance of making sure the league succeeds on a broader basis' Harlan, who turned 70 In September, has been a member of one of the league's most influential and powerful governing bodies the NFL's Management Council Executive Committee. He's also served as a trustee with the NFL trust.

"Bob has always been a pleasure to deal with because he's smart, he's prepared and he brings a perspective to the table and he always does It in a way that's respectful and dignified said Goodell, who's known Harlan for more than 20 years. "There's no question he has put this franchise In a great position to succeed going Into the future. Which is, I think, a wonderful thing to be said about anybody." Sean Keeler MIKE R0EMER PHOTOSSPECIAL TO THE REGISTER Green Bay CEO Bob Harlan the franchise in his Lambeau Green Bay CEO and chairman Bob Harlan, second from right, holds a $54,000 check designated for charity from the Packers on Thursday. convinced some people that we're right in what we're trying to do." Of course, if you don't leave your number, he might try to find you anyway. Bryan Harlan, Bob's son, recalls the time some fan sent over a scathing letter.

He signed his name, but left out an address or telephone number. Bob, a journalism major at Marquette and former UPI reporter, tracked the man down and rang him up. "The guy was so shocked," Bryan says, "he didn't know how to respond." The relationship goes both ways. Since Harlan announced his handoff to Jones, fans have called and written to wish him well. One family, the neys, even composed a poem in his honor, had it engraved on a plaque and shipped it to his office.

"That's the thing that's great about Bob," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell notes. "It doesn't matter who you are. He treats everybody the same." With dignity. Neuman recently wrote a letter to Harlan to ask if his friend, an 82-year-old longtime Packer fan named Richard Howard, could walk onto the famous frozen tundra at Lambeau before an Oct. 29 visit from the Arizona Cardinals.

Harlan called back a few days later. Sunday was out, unfortunately, but "He said, 'If you can come a day earlier, I'll show you around Neuman .1 4 How can we evr furgvt you After all that you have done You made the Green Day Pavken In the '90s, number one. "Cob Harlan" "They just came to me a couple days ago and said this was what they wanted to do," Harlan says. It's the morning of the big game, and he's sitting in his office wearing a crisp white shirt and a golden necktie that catches the sun. "I'm not big for going down on the field." Why? "I don't think I belong down on the field." Harlan has been the top executive at Green Bay for 18 years, a generation, the second-longest tenure in the team's storied history.

The first non-Green Bay native to hold the title of president, Harlan turned 70 in September and will retire in May after 3G years with the organization. The history books will say the Packers were shaped in the '20s and '30s by Curly Lambeau, the 'COs by coach Vince Lombardi and the '80s by misery. And they will say it was Harlan, the Dowling Catholic High School graduate who grew up on 58th Street and Kingman Boulevard, who took the franchise by the hand and guided it across the bridge to the 21st century. The renovation of historic Lambeau Field into a pristine, tourist-friendly, 365-days-a-year fun park? Harlan's baby. Moving home games out of Milwaukee County Stadium? Harlan's baby.

Thirteen consecutive non-losing seasons from 1992-2004? Harlan's baby. That world championship in Super Bowl XXXI? Harlan's baby. "He's Mr. Packer for me, I think," says Tom Neuman of Lino Lakes, a longtime season ticket-holder. "Because he has been the one constant.

"Throughout all the changes in all kinds of sports, Bob has always been Bob. Just dedicated to the team and to the fans." A caretaker, Harlan calls himself. Man of the people. And that's who he'll miss most. "Some people are good with fans," explains Mark Schiefel-bein, the Packers' director of administrative affairs.

"Some people are good with players. Some people are good with their staffs. But (Bob) has got all of those." The best CEOs know when to get out of the way. In 1991, Harlan hired longtime Raiders personnel man Ron Wolf as general manager and gave him free rein. Wolf, in turn, brought in Bill Walsh protege Mike Holmgren to coach, traded for Brett Favre to play quarterback and wooed free-agent sackmaster Reggie White.

The rest is Cheesehead history. "He said, 'If you come in here you can run things the way you see recalls Wolf, now retired and living in Maryland. "He was a man of his word. I can't think a person could have a better boss than Bob Harlan." With much effort on your part And miles placed on your z.o: Field office Thursday. says.

"He was just as gracious as I thought he would be." And so I'd like to say 'Thank you' From the bottom of my heart And may you feel retirement Is for you, another start. "Bob Harlan" Too gracious, in fact, to just disappear altogether. Harlan will keep a different office in the atrium after next spring, serving as the franchise's chairman emeritus. He's working on a book, slated to be finished next year. He and Madeline are keeping their home in Green Bay, but they'll spend a little more time up in their townhouse on the lake, about an hour north of town.

They'll spend a lot more time with their children and grandchildren. They'll tailgate. Bob wants to see the recent renovations at Kinnick Stadium and he's hoping to pop down for a game in Iowa City next fall. "His energy level is what bothers me the most," says Madeline, also a Des Moines native. "How I'm going to keep him from getting bored.

Because he's a very high-energy person. Very detailed and highly motivated. "I drive her crazy," Bob chuckles. "That's the bottom line." A time to spend with family And yes, of course, us fans Thank you so, Mr. Harlan You are a wonderful, wonder- 6.

ft 1 I v. I 1 3 iX'wl -J At talks about his career with successor, says a similar project would probably cost up to $700 million if attempted now from scratch. "We would be priced to a point where we couldn't bring together the financing to make it work," Jones says. "It's completely changed the viability of this franchise." Since its debut in 2003, "new" Lambeau has raked in record franchise profits. The Packers ranked seventh in the NFL in revenue in 2006, despite playing in the smallest city in the league 2005 population estimate: 102,313 and were coming off a 4-12 season.

Without the renovations, Harlan says, the Packers' cash flow would probably be at or near the bottom of the NFL. "It saved the franchise," he says, smiling. "I wouldn't want to do another one. But I'm delighted we got this one." Although the stadium makes us proud, As it does for every fan My most cherished moment came When I met Bob Harlan, the man. "Bob Harlan" Call Harlan's direct line, and his is the voice on the other end.

If he misses your call and you leave your number, he'll get right back with you. Try to picture Jones, the Dallas Cowboys' owner, taking time out of his day to escort Cowboys fans on a tour of Texas Stadium. "I feel an obligation out here," Harlan explains. "And I enjoy doing it. I hope I've shoes The coming of the new Lambeau Field Was heard on all the news.

"Bob Harlan" Darkness falls, and tailgaters spill into the giant atrium at the northeast corner of Lambeau Field. The front porch of the legendary venue got a $295 million facelift a few years ago, including a multi-tiered concourse replete with year-round, Packer-themed restaurants, bars, shops and arcades. Buttressed by giant green pipes and sweeping murals of classic Titletown moments, the atrium combines modern amenities free wireless Internet, convention-sized suites with the cool, classic feel of an old basketball fieldhouse. "There's a great, great spirit," Harlan notes as he looks down on the bustling crowd from a foyer above. In September 2000, voters approved $169.1 million in public money for the improvements by a small margin 53 percent to 47 percent.

Harlan had campaigned hard in the nine months before the vote, meeting tirelessly with legislators in Madison and average Joes all over the community. "I think it was successful because of Bob and who he is," says Mark Wagner, the Packers' director of ticket operations. "When he says something, people believe him. I think that's why the stadium referendum, even though it was close, that's what brought it over the top." Packers chief operating officer John Jones, Harlan's ful man. "Bob Harlan" The rain falls diagonally now, a winter Wisconsin mist, crystals that cling to your clothes the way sugar sticks to a gum-drop.

As kickoff looms, Harlan waits in the tunnel beneath Lambeau for his first-quarter moment. A parade of notables stop by. Quarterback Brett Favre's wife, Deanna. Packers assistant coach Jim Jagodzinski, who will leave the team soon to coach Boston College. NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci, another Green Bay coaching alum, races over, grinning like a proud son.

"You're terrific," Mariucci giggles as the two men embrace. "Way the hell better than Favre." Eventually, it's time. As he walks, fans in the first few rows reach down to shake his hand or slap him five. "Thank you, Bob!" SLAP! "Great job. Have a great holiday!" "Thank you so much for what you've done for my team!" SLAP! He moves on.

The rain comes harder. On cue, during a stop in play, Harlan walks onto the field, almost to a hash mark, careful not to kick up the loose sod behind him. After the short video presentation, a group of about six Packer players walk over, in full gear, to hug the old chairman. Tight end Bubba Franks. Favre, the man of the hour.

The Mississippi native leans over and whispers something in Harlan's ear. "Thanks for everything," Favre says. "No," Harlan replies. "Thank you." He waves to the crowd, which lets out a mighty roar. You don't boo Elvis in Memphis.

You don't boo Michael Jordan in Chicago. And you don't boo Bob Harlan in Green Bay. We Go All OutL A signed helmet from Super Bowl XXXII is among the keepsakes in Bob Harlan's office in Green Bay, Wis. that's seething be jolly abut. itou w'l.