Ex-Broncos personnel executive dies at age 51
Former Broncos personnel executive Tom Heckert passed away Sunday night, the team announced Monday. He was 51.
Heckert worked for the Broncos from 2013-17 before stepping away to focus on battling amyloidosis, a rare incurable disease described as the buildup of proteins in the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs. There are fewer than 200,000 cases of amyloidosis in the United States each year, according to Mayo Clinic research.
The Broncos will hold a moment of silence to honor
Heckert before Saturday’s preseason game against Minnesota.
Heckert is survived by his mother, Rose, children, Griffin and Madison, and former wife, Kathy.
Heckert spent 27 years in the NFL and was the Broncos’ director of pro personnel from 2013-16 and a senior personnel adviser last year.
“Tom was an integral part of our organization and we’re all incredibly saddened today,” Broncos general manager John Elway said in a release. “With his many years of experience and time as a (general manager), Tom was a key member of our team.”
Heckert spent a combined seven years as an NFL general manager with Philadelphia (2006-10) and Cleveland (2010-12). He was hired by the Broncos in May 2013.
“He was a very good evaluator — he had an eye for talent, and we always trusted his voice,” Elway said. “It’s easy to see why Tom was widely respected and had so many great relationships across the league. I’ll always be grateful for how he helped me transition into this position. My prayers go out to Tom’s family, friends and everyone he worked with during his career.”
Heckert began his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins in 1991 when he worked as an unpaid intern before the draft. His father, Tom Sr., was in the Dolphins’ front office. After the draft, coach Don Shula told Tom Sr. that he wanted to hire Tom Jr. as a full-time scout. Father and son worked with each other for 10 years.
Heckert stayed with the Dolphins for 12 years, rising to director of pro personnel. In a 2011 profile in the Akron Beacon-Journal, Heckert said a system he devised to draft players prompted him to advise coach Jimmy Johnson to draft cornerback Sam Madison because defensive end Jason Taylor, the player Johnson preferred, would be available a round later. The Dolphins selected both players and Taylor was a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
In 2001, Heckert began a decade with the Eagles, rising from director of pro personnel (2001-03) to vice president of pro personnel (2003-06) to general manager (2006-10).
Heckert was the Eagles’ general manager, but coach Andy Reid had final say on personnel. During Heckert’s tenure, the team made four consecutive NFC title games and the Super Bowl after the 2004 season (lost to New England).
“My family and I are heartbroken over the loss of Tom. I was privileged to work with him in Philadelphia and we developed a great friendship and trust over the years,” Reid, now the coach of the Chiefs, said in a release. “He was a special talent evaluator and well respected across the league. Beyond the game, he was an exceptional person and someone I leaned on throughout our time together. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tom and his family. He will be greatly missed.”
While with the Eagles, Heckert hired Matt Russell, now the Broncos’ director of player personnel. Russell called Heckert a “beloved friend for many years.”
“The biggest thing with Tom was his loyalty, how he cared about his friends and how good he was at his job,” Russell said in a release. “Tom was one of the best because he combined exceptional player evaluation skills with his incredible network of connections around the NFL. Those relationships he formed are a testament to how well he treated everyone. Tom was a loyal friend and my heart goes out to his family.”
Heckert was hired as Cleveland’s general manager in January 2010, working with team president Mike Holmgren. Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur were fired after the 2012 season.
In a statement to The Denver Post, Shurmur, now the New York Giants’ coach, said: “We received the sad news (Monday) morning. Tom and I worked closely together during our years in Philadelphia and Cleveland. Tom was a career football man and an outstanding father. My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s mother and his children.”