NEW YORK, March 9 (UPI) -- John Beake, the NFL's vice president of football operations since 2002, has announced his retirement.
The NFL also announced that Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Shell will join the league on a full-time basis to take on expanded responsibilities for various football activities.
Beake will continue to focus as a consultant on the football operations in the NFL office through the 2004 season. He also will supervise the expanded NFL coaches symposium, which he has helped develop.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said that all aspects of football operations in the NFL office will be reviewed.
Beake served as general manager of the Denver Broncos for 14 years and the team's vice president of administration for two years before joining the NFL office in 2000.
Shell was a Hall of Fame tackle with the Raiders from 1968-82 and coach of the Raiders from 1989-94.
