Paul John Tagliabue was born on November 24, 1940, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and attended St. Michael's High School in nearby Union City. He played basketball for Georgetown University from 1959 to 1962, earning a bachelor's degree there before obtaining a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1969. Tagliabue joined the NFL's legal department straight out of law school, becoming a trusted advisor on labor, antitrust, and international matters, which positioned him to succeed Pete Rozelle as commissioner in 1989. As NFL Commissioner from 1989 to 2006, he presided over the league during Robert Kraft's purchase of the New England Patriots and the team's rise to dominance, while overseeing significant growth including expansion to 32 teams, lucrative television contracts, the introduction of international games, and resolving labor disputes through collective bargaining agreements. After retiring in 2006, he remained influential in sports governance, serving on boards and receiving honors such as a Pro Football Hall of Fame tribute. Tagliabue passed away on November 9, 2025.