Pete Hadhazy, 62; was Patriots official

NEW YORK -- Pete Hadhazy, a former assistant general manager of the New England Patriots and a longtime league executive, died Monday after a brief illness, the NFL said. He was 62.

Mr. Hadhazy, who began his career with the NFL as a college student in 1961, became assistant general manager of the New England Patriots 10 years later and was hired as general manager of the Cleveland Browns in 1976.

He returned to the NFL office in 1981, then worked for the USFL from 1982 to 1986. He also served as a general manager in the World League of American Football until rejoining the NFL in 1994.

At the time of his death, he was the NFL's director of game operations.

He leaves his wife, Rita; two daughters, Andrea and Deana; and a son, James.