Tim Ruskell resigned Thursday as president and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, three weeks before his five-year contract with the NFL team was to end.
"Obviously there's great sadness today but I will leave here with great memories of this place and the people. It's been the people for me," Ruskell said.
Seattle owners had given Ruskell complete authority to build the club shortly after his arrival prior to the 2005 season.
The Seahawks made their only Super Bowl that season, but since then have been plagued by top draft choices that didn't pan out, free agent failures and the ouster of popular coach Mike Holmgren.
Ruskell brought in his own coach for 2009, Jim Mora, but the 4-7 Seahawks are headed to their second straight season without a playoff spot. Their 4-12 finish last season was their worst since 1991.
"It didn't happen quickly enough, but it wasn't because we didn't do it right," Ruskell said.
"When you're rebuilding a pro franchise, the last thing to come is the wins," he added.
Seahawks vice president for player personnel Ruston Webster will serve as interim general manager.
Copyright 2009  AFP American Edition
