Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen died at the age of 65 due to complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, his family said in a statement Monday.
"My brother was a remarkable individual on every level," Allen's sister, Jody, said in a statement. "While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend.
"Paul's family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern. For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us -- and so many others -- we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day."
Allen announced just two weeks ago that he had begun treatment on the disease. Allen was initially treated for and overcame non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009.
Allen, who also owned the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, served as the owner of the Seahawks since 1997. Under his ownership of the Seahawks, the team won Super Bowl XLVIII at the end of the 2013 season and reached three Super Bowls. The team also tallied 12 playoff appearances, nine AFC West titles and posted a 189-152-1 record.
Born in Seattle on Jan. 21, 1953, Allen's love for football was first nurtured by his father, who took him to Washington Huskies games as a child. In his teenage years, he demonstrated an almost preternatural entrepreneurial ability, launching his first programming business while still in high school, according to the Seahawks' official website.
Along with Bill Gates, he would co-found Microsoft in 1975, a company that would grow into the world's most dominant player in the professional and home computing software market. Allen purchased the team from then-owner Ken Behring after Washington state voters approved a public-private partnership to build a new stadium. Behring was threatening to move to Southern California prior to the stadium vote.
"Paul Allen was the driving force behind keeping the NFL in the Pacific Northwest," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "His vision led to the construction of CenturyLink Field and the building of a team that played in three Super Bowls, winning the championship in Super Bowl XLVIII.
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