Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue died Sunday at his Maryland home of heart failure. He was 84. Tagliabue led the league through a period of dramatic growth and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Tagliabue was born in Jersey City Nov. 24, 1940, in Jersey City and attended St. Michael’s High School in Union City before the heading to Georgetown University.

Tagliabue became the commissioner in 1989, replacing Pete Rozelle. He remained in the position until 2006 and oversaw the league as it added several lucrative broadcast deals and the “Rooney Rule,” aimed at increasing the number of minority coaches in the league, was instituted during his tenure. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Commissioner Roger Goodell , who replaced Tagliabu

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