Independence Day presents an ideal opportunity to reflect upon our nationâ??s rich history and to commend those figures who sacrificed for the greater good. The NFL â?? the nationâ??s most popular and successful sports league (when in business) â?? holds a special place in the fabric of American culture. In honor of the holiday and taking a break from the long-running labor dispute, letâ??s pay tribute to the NFL Founding Fathers:
Pete Rozelle: As Commissioner from 1960-1989, Rozelle grew the game â?? and business â?? of professional football. Under his watch, the NFL merged with the AFL, entered into the first leaguewide network television agreement, created the Super Bowl, launched Monday Night Football and introduced revenue sharing. In the words of the late Wellington Mara, Rozelle â??moved the NFL from the back page to the front page â?? from daytime to prime time.â?
Paul Tagliabue: During Tagliabueâ??s reign as Commissioner from 1989-2006, the NFL had extended labor peace, expanded from 28 to 32 teams, and built many state-of-the-art stadium facilities. And his calm manner guiding the NFL through the tragedies of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina may ultimately define Tagliabueâ??s legacy.
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