DENVER – Pat Bowlen’s induction into the Broncos’ ring of fame at halftime of Denver’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night comes, appropriately, in prime time.
The Broncos’ beloved owner served as a sounding board for commissioners Pete Rozelle, Paul Tagliabue and Roger Goodell and was a driving force in the league’s growth as a member of several committees, including co-chairing the NFL Management Council and working on the league’s network contracts.
“He just had a real passion and then he had a real vision. And it’s fitting that it’s ‘Sunday Night Football,’ which Pat was a true believer in,” said Broncos CEO Joe Ellis.
Bowlen is the first owner in pro football history to win 300 games, including playoffs, in three decades; owns more Super Bowl appearances (six) than losing seasons (five); and has the best winning percentage in the NFL (.614) since buying the team in 1984.
Unfortunately, Bowlen isn’t expected to be on hand for the festivities. He stepped down from his daily duties more than a year ago as he battles Alzheimer’s.
“He’s just concentrating on his health, his well-being, doing everything he can to keep himself happy,” said Ellis, who’s been running the team since mid-2014.
So, Bowlen’s wife, Annabel, who sat in for her husband for the team photo this summer, and their children will be on hand “to hear the cheers and roars of the crowd,” Ellis said, “and it should be a great night for them.”
Those who worked for Bowlen, 71, remember a man who put production ahead of profits, trained tirelessly for triathlons, fostered a winning atmosphere from the lobby to the locker room, and was always quick with a compliment and sure to couch his criticism.
“It’s the old catchphrase ‘win-win,”’ Ellis said. “He was all about that.”
They also recall a competitive streak that he flashed whether on the road conducting league business, the sideline watching his team, or the StairMaster drenched in sweat.
“If there was a way for him to compete against what he’s going through,” offered former defensive end Alfred Williams, “he’d beat that damn disease every time.”
Here are some recollections of the man known affectionately as “Mr. B.” from some of the men who worked for him:
JOHN ELWAY, on the iconic moment after the Broncos beat the Packers 31-24 for their first Super Bowl title on Jan. 25, 1998, and Bowlen handed him the Lombardi Trophy, proclaiming, “This one’s for John!”
“It was a surprise to me when he said that, but it was probably the most humbling, thrilled feeling I’ve ever had in my life, when we were finally able to win that championship and Pat handed me that trophy. So, there will never be a more special time in my career than when he said that and handed me that trophy, because we had been working on it for 15 years and Pat had been here for 14 years. ... That was the highlight of my career.”
PEYTON MANNING: “I got to meet Mr. Bowlen a couple of times when I played for Indianapolis and I don’t think he liked me all that much, to tell you the truth. That’s who he was. He was a competitive guy and he liked the Denver Broncos, which I get it, and I respect that.
“He flew back from Hawaii when I signed here with Denver and I had a good conversation with him, which I enjoyed. And I still get a chance to visit with him. Me and Greek (Broncos head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos) have a chance to go see him. And obviously my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and all that he’s going through.”
MIKE SHANAHAN: “He just wanted to be one of the guys. He did not try to push in front of people that he was the owner. He was just one of the guys and they got to know him on that type of level. That’s why I think he was so beloved by so many people, including myself.
“And you also knew that he would give anything to make your football team better or at least get a chance at the Super Bowl. At that time you would say every ounce that he had – I should say every penny he had, he wanted to go into giving the football team a Super Bowl. That was his No. 1 priority. That was it. It was not trying to buy different companies and trying to make more money. His goal was winning a Super Bowl.”
GARY ZIMMERMAN: “In Minnesota we always had the turkey scam and they had the sign-up sheet and I came in and thought it was all a scam and then I come into the locker room and there’s Pat sticking turkeys into our lockers. That was the first time I really understood what Pat really was about.”’
BRIAN DAWKINS: “I remember how he was on that elliptical every day. There was not a day when he wouldn’t be there. He would own that machine. And he would not let up. That just shows you the dedication. To me, that shows the drive of man, how we drove this football team.”
GARY KUBIAK: “I’m speaking as a player and coach, you knew that he would always do anything he possibly could for you so that you could be the best you could at your job. I would think most guys would tell you that played for him or worked for him that he was not only our owner, but he was your friend. He’s a friend of mine. A lot of guys you work for you don’t say that about, but you say that about him.”
