💥 BREAKING NEWS: NFL MOURNS LOSS OF PAUL TAGLIABUE — JAGUARS PAY POWERFUL TRIBUTE TO THE MAN WHO SHAPED THEIR DESTINY
Jacksonville, FL — November 10, 2025.
The NFL world is in mourning today following the passing of former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who died Sunday morning at the age of 84. But in Jacksonville, the news hit especially hard — because for the Jaguars, Tagliabue wasn’t just a name in history. He was the reason they exist.
When Tagliabue led the NFL’s bold expansion in the 1990s, Jacksonville was considered an underdog city — small market, limited appeal, no national spotlight. But against all odds, Tagliabue saw potential where others saw risk. His unwavering belief brought NFL football to northeast Florida, birthing the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise in 1995 — a decision that changed the city forever.
After their emotional 29–36 loss to the Houston Texans, the Jaguars locker room fell silent again — but this time, for a different reason. Head coach Liam Coen gathered his players and staff to honor the man who made their dreams possible.
“Without Paul Tagliabue, there’s no Jacksonville Jaguars. There’s no teal, no roar, no home crowd that believes every Sunday,” Coen said softly. “He didn’t just give us a team — he gave this city an identity.”
Across the league, players, coaches, and executives echoed similar sentiments. But in Jacksonville, the grief was personal. For decades, Tagliabue championed cities often overlooked by big-market executives. He brought the game to communities that needed heroes, not headlines.
Current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Tagliabue’s successor, released a statement saying:
“Paul’s vision built bridges between the NFL and America’s heartland. His leadership didn’t just expand the game — it expanded hope.”
The Jaguars organization plans to wear a black commemorative patch with Tagliabue’s initials (PT) during next week’s game as a sign of respect.
In a season marked by heartbreak and controversy, this moment reminded Jacksonville — and the entire NFL — that the league’s greatness is built on visionaries who saw beyond the scoreboard.
And for the Jaguars, that vision began with one man:
Paul Tagliabue — the Commissioner who dared to believe.
