Copyright TODAY
Paul Tagliabue, who was the commissioner of the NFL for 17 years, died at age 84 this past Sunday. His cause of death was heart failure and complications of Parkinson's disease, NBC Sports reported. Tagliabue became NFL commissioner in 1989 and held the position until his retirement in 2006. He took over the position for Pete Rozelle and was succeeded by Roger Goodell, the current commissioner. “All of us in the NFL are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Tagliabue, whose principled leadership and vision put the NFL on the path to unparalleled success,” said Goodell in a statement regarding Tagliabue's death. “Throughout his decades-long leadership on behalf of the NFL, first as outside counsel and then during a powerful 17-year tenure as commissioner, Paul served with integrity, passion and an unwavering conviction to do what was best for the league," the statement continued. "'Paul was the ultimate steward of the game — tall in stature, humble in presence and decisive in his loyalty to the NFL." Tagliabue is survived by his wife Chandler, son Drew, and daughter Emily, per the AP. Paul Tagliabue's Cause of Death Tagliabue's family confirmed his cause of death was heart failure, which was complicated by Parkinson's disease. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should, the Mayo Clinic explains. If the heart isn't pumping blood effectively, that can lead to a buildup of blood and fluid in the lungs, causing shortness of breath and other life-threatening effects. Symptoms of heart failure, per the Mayo Clinic, can include: Shortness of breath Weakness or fatigue Rapid or irregular heartbeat Swelling in ankles, legs and feet Reduced ability to exercise Persistent cough Cough that brings up pink or white mucus with spots of blood Rapid weight gain due to fluid buildup Nausea or lack of appetite Lack of alertness or difficulty concentrating In some cases, it becomes more difficult for the heart to its job effectively as we age, even among healthy people, the Mayo Clinic says. But other health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, can make heart failure more likely. Paul Tagliabue's Parkinson's Diagnosis It's not clear when Tagliabue was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but the condition appears to have played a role in his death, his family said, per NBC Sports. Parkinson's disease is a condition in which changes to the nervous system cause muscle stiffness and movement difficulties, which typically worsen over time. Recent research shows a link between Parkinson's and an increased risk for developing and death from cardiovascular issues. Certain medications that are used to manage Parkinson's may increase the risk for heart problems.
