EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants president and co-chief executive officer Wellington Mara died Tuesday morning. He was 89.

Recognized as one of the NFL's most respected leaders, Mara succumbed to cancer at his home in Rye, New York at 9:26 a.m.

Mara, who was in his 81st season with the organization, had been a part of the Giants since October 1925. It was then a nine-year-old Mara began his Hall of Fame career in the Big Apple.

Wellington's father, Timothy, purchased the team in 1925 and turned the franchise over to his two sons, Jack and Wellington, five years later.

"Wellington Mara represented the heart and soul of the National Football League," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement. "He was a man of deep conviction who stood as a beacon of integrity. His passions were many: his family and faith, the Giants, the NFL and his community. When Well Mara stood to speak at a league meeting, the room would become silent with anticipation because all of us knew we were going to hear profound insights born of eight decades of league experience. John Mara now will continue his father's legacy and we offer our deepest sympathy to Ann, John and the entire Mara family."

Mara was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes in April and had surgery the following month to remove the problem. Mara, who began radiation in July and had a total of 33 treatments until late August, was hospitalized for almost four weeks before returning home.

Mara never attended training camp this year or any of New York's games this season. His last Giants game was Sunday's thrilling 24-23 come-from-behind victory against the Denver Broncos.

Nicknamed "Duke," Mara earned his degree from Fordham in 1937 and is survived by his wife, Ann, 11 children and 40 grandchildren.

New York's other owner, Bob Tisch, is suffering from brain cancer.