You've got to win': Packers legend LeRoy Butler recalls friendship and legacy of former Packers CEO Bob Harlan

Green Bay—When Bob Harlan shook LeRoy Butler’s hand on the eve of the 1990 season, he offered a simple pledge: “My door will always be open for you.”

Within days, the rookie safety climbed the stairs at Lambeau Field to see if the newly minted team president meant it.

“I think a couple of days later, I went up to his office,” Butler recalled. “His door was wide open. He had a meeting going on. He saw me come in—‘No, LeRoy, come in.’ I said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ He said, ‘No, no, what can I help you with?’ I just wanted to find out: was your door really open?”

It was, and it stayed that way for the next 12 seasons.

That open-door policy became the cornerstone of a relationship that helped transform the Packers from a struggling franchise into a powerhouse. Under Harlan’s 19-year tenure as president and CEO, Green Bay returned to national prominence, posting two Super Bowl appearances and a championship in the 1996 season. Harlan, who spent more than three decades with the organization, died this week at age 89.

Butler, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022, said Harlan’s accessibility was unprecedented for a top executive.

“I don’t think most players interact with the president or CEO or owner, but with Bob it was all the time,” Butler said. “The reason I loved him: he was a great listener.”

The listening translated into action. During Butler’s career, he and teammates Brett Favre and Reggie White approached Harlan with a wish list: bigger showers, a basketball gym, an on-site chef, even a barber shuttled from Milwaukee. Harlan’s response, according to Butler, was immediate.

“One answer: yes,” Butler said. “Then he hesitated. I said, ‘Oh, boy.’ But he added, ‘You’ve got to win.’”

The Packers did just that. Beyond the on-field success, Harlan stabilized the club’s finances and spearheaded the renovation of historic Lambeau Field, ensuring its viability for future generations.

Butler emphasized that Harlan viewed players as family.

“He looked at us like his kids,” Butler said. “Whatever you want, you can get it—but you’ve got to win.”

Even after Butler retired in 2001, the conversations continued. The two men stayed in touch, trading calls and memories of the dynasty they helped build. The Packers have not yet announced plans for a public memorial.

For Butler, the lesson of Harlan’s leadership is clear: accessibility, accountability, and an unyielding demand for excellence.

“You’ve got to win,” Butler repeated, echoing the mantra Harlan made synonymous with Green Bay’s renaissance.