Bob Harlan has died, and the two most famous quarterbacks to have been brought in during his tenure have spoken up on it.

On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers announced that their former CEO had passed away at the age of 89 after a brief illness. He had assumed that title in 1986 after five years as corporate general manager, and would hold it until retiring in 2008 and becoming chairman emeritus.

The franchise’s two most famous quarterbacks of the 21st century so far, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, fondly reflected on his time with the organization in separate statements:

Favre: “I appreciated the way he represented the Packers and connected so well with Packers fans. I also truly enjoyed his sense of humor and cherished the moments we shared over the years.”

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“Rodgers: To me, Bob embodied the spirit of the Green Bay Packers, and he truly loved leading the greatest franchise in the NFL. His kind heart, quick wit and steady hand will be remembered by Packers people forever.”

Under Harlan, the Packers reemerged from their “NFL Siberia” days as one of the league’s best teams. It was during his tenure that Ron Wolf was hired as general manager, and he would lure Favre out of the Atlanta Falcons to become their new franchise quarterback.

It would soon bear fruit, as the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI at the end of the 1996 season. They also made another Super Bowl at the end of 1997, but lost to the Denver Broncos.

In 2005, Harlan hired Ted Thompson as GM. Thompson, in turn, drafted Rodgers, who would lead the franchise to another Super Bowl win at the end of the 2010 season.

Harlan also oversaw massive renovations to Lambeau Field, which began in 2001 and were completed in time for the 2003 season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reacts to ex-Packers CEO Bob Harlan’s death

It was not just prominent Packers figures, like former head coaches Mike Holmgren and Mike McCarthy, who mourned Bob Harlan upon his passing.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also issued a statement of his own:

“Bob restored the Packers’ tradition of excellence, winning a Super Bowl and renovating Lambeau Field into the iconic venue it is today. He also contributed substantially to our league, helping ensure that all cities, large or small, could be successful. Bob came to Green Bay in 1971 and never left, spending more than half a century in his beloved community.”

Harlan is survived by his wife Madeline and three sons, including broadcaster Kevin Harlan.