GREEN BAY, Wis. — Former Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has died at the age of 68.

Packers' head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the death of the former GM on his Zoom press conference on Thursday afternoon. He said he found out before the call.  

"We are sitting here with heavy hearts today," said LaFleur. "He's a guy that's held in the highest regard in this building and I think just around the league."

Thompson served as the Packers’ general manager from 2005 until 2017, when he stepped down. Some of his most notable accomplishments were drafting Aaron Rodgers in the first round in 2005 and assembling the team that won Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers.

Nineteen of 22 starters and 49 of 53 players on the Super Bowl-winning roster were acquired by Thompson via the draft, free agency, trades or the waivers while in Green Bay.

"Ted was a man of great character and integrity who cared deeply for his family and friends," said current Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, who succeeded Thompson in 2018. "He was honest and hard-working. He valued his scouts and always did what he felt was right for the Packers organization.

Thompson oversaw nine playoff appearances in 13 seasons as general manager, including a streak of eight in a row from 2009 to 2016. That's tied for the most in the NFC over that span.

"I learned a great deal from Ted and will always be appreciative for the opportunity he gave me. He was a football man and a scout's scout, but more importantly, he was a very special person who will be greatly missed," said Gutekunst.

Packers HOFer LeRoy Butler tweeted his condolences to Ted Thompson Thursday.

James Jones also wrote on Twitter what Ted Thompson meant to him.

Aaron Rodgers also publicly offered his thoughts on the man who drafted him and brought him to Green Bay in 2005.

“Well it’s always going to be personal because I was his first draft pick and he wanted so badly, whether he’d admit it or not, for me to have success I think because he stuck his neck out for me," said Rodgers.