NEW YORK (AP) – Paul Tagliabue, who helped bring labor peace and riches to the NFL during his 17 years as commissioner but was criticized for not taking stronger action on concussions, died Sunday from heart failure. Reporter Bernie Bennett has details. VERBATIM: NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tagliabue’s family informed the league of his […]
Audio
Former NFL Commissioner Tagliabue Passes Away
NEW YORK (AP) – Paul Tagliabue, who helped bring labor peace and riches to the NFL during his 17 years as commissioner but was criticized for not taking stronger action on concussions, died Sunday from heart failure. Reporter Bernie Bennett has details.
VERBATIM:
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tagliabue’s family informed the league of his death in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Tagliabue, who had developed Parkinson’s disease, was commissioner from 1989, when he succeeded Pete Rozelle, to 2006. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of a special centennial class in 2020. Current Commissioner Roger Goodell succeeded Tagliabue.
News of Tagliabue’s death came shortly before seven games kicked off Sunday. The Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings held a moment of silence for Tagliabue and Marshawn Kneeland, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive tackle who died on Thursday.
Tagliabue died Sunday from heart failure at 84 years old.