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 |
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Paul John Tagliabue
November 24, 1940 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Spouse | Chandler Minter (m. 1965) |
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| Residences | Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University New York University School of Law |
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Football career |
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Paul John Tagliabue (born November 24, 1940) is an American lawyer. He is best known for being the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL). He started this important job in 1989 and worked until September 1, 2006. Before becoming commissioner, he worked as a lawyer for the NFL.
During his time as commissioner, the NFL grew a lot. Four new teams joined the league. He also helped keep the Saints team in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Paul Tagliabue made the decision to delay games after the September 11, 2001, attacks. He also stood up for what he believed was right. For example, he moved Super Bowl XXVII from Arizona to California. This happened because Arizona did not recognize a state holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr.. He also helped start the World League of American Football in 1989. In 2020, he was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was officially honored on August 7, 2021.
Besides his work with the NFL, Tagliabue also led the Board of Directors for Georgetown University. He held this position from 2009 to 2015.
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Early Life and School
Paul Tagliabue was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was the third of four sons. His parents were Charles and Mary Tagliabue. His family came from Italy. He grew up in the Heights area of Jersey City. He went to St. Michael's High School in Union City, New Jersey. There, he was a star basketball player.
He received a scholarship to play basketball at Georgetown University. He was the captain of the team in 1961–62. He finished college in 1962. He was the president of his senior class. He was also a top student and a finalist for a special scholarship called the Rhodes Scholar. After Georgetown, he went to New York University School of Law. He graduated from law school in 1965. He has also received special honorary degrees from other universities.
Working as a Lawyer
From 1969 to 1989, Paul Tagliabue worked as a lawyer. He was part of a law firm in Washington, D.C., called Covington & Burling.
Leading the National Football League
After working as a lawyer for the NFL, Paul Tagliabue was chosen for a big job. The owners of the NFL teams picked him to be the new Commissioner. He took over from Pete Rozelle in 1989.
Growing the League
During his time as commissioner, the NFL grew a lot. It went from 28 teams to 32 teams. In 1993, new teams were announced for Charlotte and Jacksonville. These teams started playing in 1995.
Later, a 31st team was added in Cleveland in 1999. This team took on the name and history of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns had moved to Baltimore in 1996 and became the Baltimore Ravens. The 32nd team was the Houston Texans, which joined the league in 2002.
NFL Games in Europe
The NFL also played special pre-season games in Europe. These were part of the American Bowl series. Paul Tagliabue started a new league called the World League of American Football (WLAF). It had teams in North America and Europe. After a couple of seasons, the league stopped playing in the U.S.
In 1995, the league came back as NFL Europe. This time, all six teams were in Europe. When Tagliabue retired, most of these teams were based in Germany. Later, the NFL started playing regular season games in London. In 2022, the NFL played its first regular season game in mainland Europe, in Munich, Germany.
Teams Moving Cities
During Tagliabue's time, some teams also moved to new cities. In 1995, the city of Los Angeles lost both of its NFL teams. The Los Angeles Rams moved to St. Louis. The Raiders moved back to Oakland. In 1996, the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. In 1997, the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee. They later changed their name to the Tennessee Titans.
Important Decisions
Paul Tagliabue is remembered for some important decisions he made as commissioner:
- He took a strong stand against the state of Arizona. Arizona had not created a state holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.. Because of this, Tagliabue moved Super Bowl XXVII from Arizona to Pasadena. Arizona later hosted a Super Bowl in 1996.
- He worked hard to bring the Saints team back to New Orleans. This happened after Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage in 2005. Tagliabue helped convince the team owner to keep the Saints in Louisiana.
After the NFL
After leaving the NFL, Paul Tagliabue went back to work at the law firm Covington & Burling. He now serves as a senior advisor there.
In 2008, he was chosen to lead the board of directors for Georgetown University. He served in this role for three years.
Tagliabue has also been recognized for his support of the gay rights group PFLAG.
In 2012, the current NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, asked Tagliabue for help. He asked Tagliabue to review the decisions made about players in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. Tagliabue agreed with the investigation's findings. However, he decided to overturn the suspensions of all the players.
In 2014, Tagliabue joined a group trying to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Washington, D.C.
Awards and Honors
Paul Tagliabue received the Eagle Award in 1992. This is a top international honor given for big contributions to sports. On January 15, 2020, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Paul Tagliabue married Chandler Minter on August 28, 1965. They met in law school. They have two children, Andrew and Emily. He and his wife live in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
