Green Bay, WI (My Sportsbook) - The Green Bay Packers' executive committee accepted the resignation of chief executive owner John Jones Friday.

Jones departs the organization after an eight-year career that began in February 1999. His departure is a direct result of a number of heart surgeries last June to help correct a previously undetected heart defect.

"What happened to me a year ago was sudden and devastating," said Jones. "Due to a previously undetected, rare birth defect of the heart, I experienced an aortic dissection. I underwent a series of complex emergency heart surgeries in June 2006. I am grateful that I survived.

"However, like many heart surgery patients, I have found that the residual effects of the surgeries have made it difficult to continue my current job.

"The Packers mean so very much to me, but my family means more. I need to put my health and continued recovery above everything else.

"I am proud of my service to the team and to the community and have done everything I could to prepare the Green Bay Packers for the future. The Packers have been fair to me during this process, and I appreciate it."

Jones was an integral part of the successful Lambeau Field redevelopment plan which resulted in the team's strong financial condition. He also led efforts to reorganize and update the team's administrative staff.

"We thank John for all his contributions to the Green Bay Packers, and we wish him and his family well," said Packers executive committee member Peter Platten. "We want to emphasize that John's departure from the Packers is a result of his medical situation. The team accepts his resignation with regret, understanding that family and health must come first. The Packers will always value John for his character, his integrity and his many accomplishments during his eight years of management leadership with the team."

The team has formed a search committee to select Jones' successor.

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