Paul Tagliabue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Tagliabue
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Tagliabue in 2002
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| 5th Commissioner of the NFL | |
| In office November 5, 1989 – September 1, 2006 |
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| Preceded by | Pete Rozelle |
| Succeeded by | Roger Goodell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Paul John Tagliabue
November 24, 1940 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 2025 (aged 84) Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Chandler Minter
(m. 1965) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University (BA) New York University (JD) |
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Football career |
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Paul John Tagliabue was an American lawyer. He was best known for being the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL). He led the NFL from 1989 until 2006. Before that, he worked as a lawyer for the NFL.
During his time as commissioner, the NFL grew. Four new teams joined the league. He also helped keep the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He made important decisions, like postponing games after the September 11 attacks. He also stood up for important values. For example, he moved Super Bowl XXVII when Arizona did not honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a state holiday. He also helped start the World League of American Football. Paul Tagliabue was honored for his contributions. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Besides his work with the NFL, Mr. Tagliabue also led the Board of Directors at Georgetown University. He held this role from 2009 to 2015.
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Early Life and School Days
Paul Tagliabue was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was the third of four sons. His parents were Charles and May Tagliabue. He grew up in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City.
He went to St. Michael's High School. There, he was a star basketball player. He earned a scholarship to play basketball at Georgetown University. He was even captain of the team in his senior year. He graduated in 1962. He was president of his class and a top student. He later became a strong supporter of fair play in sports. He believed in keeping sports free from any unfair influences.
Mr. Tagliabue continued his education. He graduated from New York University School of Law in 1965. He finished with high honors.
Becoming a Lawyer
From 1969 to 1989, Paul Tagliabue worked as a lawyer. He was part of a law firm called Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C.. This experience prepared him for his future role.
Leading the NFL
After working as a lawyer for the NFL, Mr. Tagliabue was chosen. NFL team owners selected him to be the new commissioner. He took over from Pete Rozelle in 1989.
Growing the NFL
During his time as commissioner, the NFL expanded. It grew from 28 teams to 32 teams. New teams were added in Charlotte (Carolina Panthers) and Jacksonville (Jacksonville Jaguars) in 1995.
Later, a 31st team was added in Cleveland in 1999. This team took on the history of the original Cleveland Browns. The original Browns had moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Ravens. The 32nd team, the Houston Texans, joined the league in 2002.
NFL Goes International
The NFL also looked beyond the United States. They played pre-season games in Europe. Mr. Tagliabue started a new league called the World League of American Football (WLAF) in 1989. It had teams in North America and Europe.
The WLAF later became NFL Europe in 1995. It featured six teams based in Europe. When Mr. Tagliabue retired, most teams were in Germany. This league helped spread American football around the world. Today, the NFL continues to play regular season games in places like London and Munich.
Teams Changing Cities
During his leadership, some NFL teams moved to new cities. In 1995, both Los Angeles Rams and Raiders left Los Angeles. The Rams moved to St. Louis, and the Raiders returned to Oakland.
In 1996, the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore. They became the Baltimore Ravens. The Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1997. They later changed their name to the Tennessee Titans.
Important Decisions and Legacy
Paul Tagliabue was known for making strong and fair decisions. These actions left a lasting mark on the NFL.
He took a stand for civil rights. In 1993, Super Bowl XXVII was planned for Arizona. However, Arizona did not recognize a state holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.. Mr. Tagliabue moved the Super Bowl to Pasadena. Arizona later hosted Super Bowl XXX in 1996 after establishing the holiday.
He also played a key role in helping New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The hurricane caused great damage. Mr. Tagliabue worked hard to ensure the New Orleans Saints football team returned to the city. He convinced the team owner to keep the Saints in Louisiana. This was a major priority for the league.
After His Time as Commissioner
After leaving the NFL commissioner role, Mr. Tagliabue returned to his law firm. He worked as a senior counsel at Covington & Burling.
He also continued his involvement with Georgetown University. In 2008, he became the chairman of its board of directors.
In 2012, he was asked by current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to review some player conduct decisions. He made sure fairness was upheld for the players.
Mr. Tagliabue also supported other causes. He joined a group working to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Washington, D.C.. He was honored for his work with groups that support all families. He also helped an agency for people with blindness. He encouraged veterans and military families to help with elections.
Family Life
Paul Tagliabue married Chandler Minter on August 28, 1965. They met in law school. They had two children together. Their names are Andrew Paul Tagliabue and Emily Elizabeth Tagliabue. Mr. Tagliabue and his wife lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
His Passing
Paul Tagliabue passed away on November 9, 2025. He was at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He died from heart failure and complications from Parkinson's disease.
Awards and Honors
Paul Tagliabue received many awards for his work. In 1992, he won the Eagle Award. This is a top international honor for contributions to sports.
He also received the Teddy Roosevelt Award from the NCAA in 2007. On January 15, 2020, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was part of the Centennial Class of 2021. He also received honorary degrees from several universities.
See also
In Spanish: Paul Tagliabue para niños
