Peter Hadhazy

Pete Hadhazy
Born
Peter Hadhazy

(1944-02-09)February 9, 1944
Debrecen, Hungary
DiedApril 3, 2006(2006-04-03) (aged 62)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationSports team executive
Years active1976-2006, his death
Spouse(s)Rita, ?-2006 (his death)
Children3, daughters Deana and Andrea, son James

Peter Hadhazy (Hungarian: Hadházy Péter; February 9, 1944 – April 3, 2006), was an American football executive, who served as the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns from 1976 to 1981 and also as an executive for the National Football League (NFL), the short-lived United States Football League (USFL) and the World League of American Football (WLAF).

Born in Debrecen, Hungary, Hadhazy moved to the US with his parents during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.[1] He joined the NFL as a part-time employee in high school,[2] and attended Iona College on a tennis scholarship. He was hired by the league office after graduation and became its director of player personnel in 1969.

In July 1971, Hadhazy became administrative assistant to Upton Bell, general manager of the New England Patriots. He was later promoted to assistant general manager.[3] The Browns hired him as executive vice president before the start of the 1976 season and added the title of general manager in 1977.[4]

Hadhazy left the Browns to return to the NFL office after the 1980 season ended. He joined the USFL in 1982 and served as its director of operations until the league folded in 1986.[5]

After the USFL folded, Hadhazy returned to the NFL, where he served in numerous capacities. He served as a general manager [6] of the Ohio Glory in the World League from 1991–92,[7] as the labor operations director for the league's Management Council [8] and, at the time of his death, the NFL's director of game operations.[9]

Death

Hadhazy died in New York City after a brief illness at the age of 62. He was survived by his wife, Rita, two daughters, Andrea and Deana, and a son, James.[10]

References

  1. ^ Vecsey, Peter (January 4, 2009). "Legendary Journalist Set This Rebel Straight | New York Post". Nypost.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "Peter Hadhazy" (PDF). Cbalimni.com. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Robert H. Boyle (October 18, 1971). "They are flushed with success—on the field, where they – 10.18.71 – SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  4. ^ Grossi, Tony (2004). Tales from the Browns Sideline – Tony Grossi – Google Books. ISBN 9781582617138. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  5. ^ "Hadhazy, former NFL official and Browns GM, dies – NFL – ESPN". ESPN. April 3, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  6. ^ "Little Gets Glory Job In Wlaf – Orlando Sentinel". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. January 22, 1992. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  7. ^ "One-Year Wonders at Fun While It Lasted". Funwhileitlasted.net. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  8. ^ Gerald Eskenazi (January 8, 1995). "PRO FOOTBALL; Jets Say Steinberg and Co. Will Stay On – New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  9. ^ "Pete Hadhazy, 62, ex-Patriots official – The Boston Globe". Boston.com. Associated Press. April 7, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "NFL official Peter Hadhazy dies". abcnews.go.com. April 12, 2006. Retrieved May 22, 2014.