Paul Tagliabue, who served as NFL commissioner from 1989 to 2006 and oversaw an era of labor peace and massive financial growth, died Sunday of heart failure at age 84. During his tenure, Tagliabue strengthened the league’s substance abuse policy, introduced the "Rooney Rule," and expanded diversity in coaching and leadership positions.

Paul Tagliabue, who served as NFL commissioner for 17 years, a period in which the league expanded geographically and boomed in popularity, died Sunday morning at his home in Chevy Chase, Md.

Tagliabue established the “Rooney Rule,” under which all teams with coaching vacancies must interview minority candidates.