Event to honor their father exceeds expectations for ’s children By Ryan O’Halloran Post June 19, 2019

Brittany Bowlen: “He’d be incredibly overwhelmed by all of the support and love.”

Calling the event “unbelievable” and “comforting,” the children of late Broncos owner Pat Bowlen were provided with a first-hand view Tuesday of how much the team’s fans respected their father.

During a five-hour public event at Broncos Stadium at Mile High, thousands of visitors toured an impressive display of Bowlen’s memorabilia and provided their condolences to six of Bowlen’s seven children who attended.

Bowlen, 75, died last Thursday after battling Alzheimer’s.

“It’s been an overwhelming time emotionally,” said daughter Beth Bowlen Wallace. “But to see the fans and to see the players and staff that have come through has brought great comfort. … It solidifies how much my father meant to this community.”

On Friday, the Broncos told the family about their plan for a public tribute.

“I thought, ‘Oh, that will be nice,’” said Bowlen Wallace, who had just landed in Africa last week when she was alerted of her father’s condition and walked from the arrivals terminal to the departure area to start the trip back home. “It has blown away our expectations. It’s so well done.”

Said daughter Brittany Bowlen: “He’d be incredibly overwhelmed by all of the support and love.”

Before the doors opened to the public, Broncos staff members toured the displays. Former (now the team’s general manager) and and ex-receiver Rod Smith were among the early arrivals. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and the Broncos’ rookie class also greeted the family.

“Walking in here today, it hit me — I really wish I had the opportunity to shake Pat’s hand and tell him I would be going to work for him,” said left guard Dalton Risner, who is from Wiggins. “Growing up, I knew so many people that respected Pat. He had a winning attitude and was an old-school guy.”

Sure there were emotional moments, but just as many laughs.

“I told myself when I woke up this morning, ‘I’m not going to go there and be sad,’ because the tribute is for a man who did so much and made everybody else smile,” Smith said.

For Bowlen’s children, there were handshakes, pats on the back and hugs. A long line snaked through a lower level of the stadium and Broncos president/CEO was on hand to visit with waiting fans. A one-level escalator ride up to the club level featured a video on the stadium’s scoreboards before the display began.

Anna Marie Marcus, senior special events manager, coordinated a group of three others, who then led nearly 60 operations employees to set up the tribute. Marcus said the process took 12 hours a day for four days and was completed at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Marcus said most of the memorabilia was wrapped and put in a moving truck for up to the stadium. But the three Lombardi Trophies?

“Football (operations) packed my car — I had everything possible that we’ve won since 1984 in my Dodge,” Marcus said with a laugh.

The final touch was a wall of flowers near where the family received condolences. The flowers arrived from Hawaii on Saturday and Sunday.

What fans and friends saw was a walk down Broncos Memory Lane for the past 35 years.

“It’s pretty astonishing to see all of these artifacts and things that were important to him in life and meet all of these people that truly loved him,” Brittany Bowlen said.

Said Bowlen Wallace: “Unbelievable because I could point to all of the footballs (as memories), like the Cleveland game (to win Bowlen’s first AFC title). I’ll never forget that. That game signified so much.”

Dozens upon dozens of game footballs, from the wins to the Broncos’ international preseason games. The Broncos’ three Super Bowl trophies. All of Bowlen’s title rings. His office desk. A gallery of magazine covers featuring the team. A bulletin board-like wall for fans to write notes and pin them to the board. His old binoculars. Jerseys of Elway, , , and .

And the fur coat.

“When I rounded the corner and saw the fur coat, I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? They’ve been hiding that thing,’ ” Bowlen Wallace said. “That was meaningful for me. I was most excited for people to see the pictures of him as a dad.”

Later during the event, children from the Broncos Boys & Girls Club, which opened in 2003 and was the only facility of its kind fully-funded by a professional sports team, visited the Bowlen children.

“It was emotional to see (club director) Rich (Barrows),” Brittany Bowlen said. “My dad loved Rich so much. He really carries some of the values that were most important to my dad.”

Next up for the family is Bowlen’s funeral service Monday in the Denver area and then a second ceremony in his beloved Hawaii.

“It means everything to me”: Fans pay tribute to Pat Bowlen at Broncos Stadium By Kyle Fredrickson Denver Post June 19, 2019

Jesse Esquibel waited an hour with his three sons Tuesday morning outside Broncos Stadium before doors opened as the self-described superfan wearing an orange holographic mask, a No. 7 jersey with “Reaper” on the back, and holding a faux orange-and-blue sickle, walked in.

Esquibel goes by the nickname “Bronco Reaper” after surviving multiple brushes with death from medical emergencies. The Denver native rarely misses a home game and attends each in full costume. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, 75, died last Thursday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Esquibel made sure to honor his memory by attending the public Bowlen tribute.

Esquibel was the first fan inside Broncos Stadium when doors opened at 10 a.m.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “ … I chose the reaper as to not be scared of death. I needed to show up today to show my respect for (Bowlen), who I call our father. And to also show that it’s OK to not be afraid of death.”

The free event drew more than 5,000 attendees and gave fans a rare opportunity to view Bowlen’s extensive collection of football and personal memorabilia. Members of the Bowlen family were in attendance and greeted fans. Former players such as John Elway, Peyton Manning, Rod Smith and also visited with the Bowlens.

Fans were led through a tour of the Club Level’s West Lounge where large display cases featured an array of Bowlen keepsakes: dozens of game balls, Super Bowl trophies, championship rings, Bowlen’s famous fur coat, photos with past presidents, signed jerseys of Hall of Famers who played for Bowlen and much more.

Elvin Devorss is a season-ticket holder and Denver native who marveled at Bowlen’s office desk display. On the near left corner was an orange-and-blue Broncos’ hard hat that matched the one atop his own head on Tuesday. Devorss wears it at every home game with his fan nickname “BRONCNATOR” emblazoned across the front.

“I’ve been in building construction my whole life and as soon as they came out with these (hard hats) it became part of my outfit,” Devorss said. “The fact that one sat on (Bowlen’s) desk … amazing.”

Josh Dunbar, another Coloradoan and lifelong fan, added: “I loved the golf clubs. (Bowlen) had embroidered on the 3-wood.”

Many in attendance had cherished personal memories of Bowlen.

“I met him when I was a kid back in like 1986,” said Carlos Vargas. “(Bowlen) walked by me and I was trying to say hello. I was kind of screaming and he came back and said hi. That was something that stuck with me. That’s what made me a Broncos’ fan for life.”

One wall of the display offered fans the opportunity to write the Bowlen family hand-written notes on cards pinned to a corkboard. Most were short and sweet: Thank you, Mr. Bowlen, for building such a great organization that really pulled this community together. … You’re the best and will truly be missed more than you know. … Congrats on such a wonderful, blessed life Mr. B!

Kelli Wilzoch and Shelley Jacobs each penned personal messages. They’ve sat together for two decades at Broncos games and described the mood among fans in attendance as quiet while each took time to soak in Bowlen’s legacy. Their favorite items among the collection were photos of Bowlen through the years, and more specifically, images that captured the family man behind the legendary owner.

“I can remember watching the Broncos when they first started in the 1960s,” Jacobs said. “We thanked Pat for the great memories.”

The Broncos’ expectations for the tribute were exceeded as the line outside Broncos Stadium continued to grow as the 3 p.m. stop time rolled past. It lasted seven total hours. The outpouring of support was no surprise to Esquibel, the “Bronco Reaper,” whose game rituals put perspective on his own near-death experiences after suffering West Nile Virus and multiple heart attacks.

“My love of the Broncos has always been strong,” Esquibel said. “I’ve become good friends and almost family with a lot of the other superfans.”

He won’t soon forget Bowlen helped establish that culture in Broncos Country.

A look inside memorial tribute for Pat Bowlen at Mile High By Mike Klis KUSA June 19, 2019

They came in formal dresses and coat and ties. They came in Broncos’ costumes and team jerseys.

And they came by the thousands, moving slowly step by step to pay their final respects to Pat Bowlen, the three-and-a-half decade owner of the Denver Broncos and offer comfort to his children.

"It doesn’t surprise me one bit," said rookie guard Dalton Risner, who grew up as a Broncos fan down the country roads outside Denver in Wiggins. "You walk through and you have fans packed in here. We’re just trying to pass through and see Pat’s memorabilia. It’s also refreshing to see how much support we have for this Broncos football team and this Broncos organization because I don’t think it would be like this everywhere."

The open-house tribute for Bowlen, who died late Thursday night at home with his seven children and his wife Annabel at his side, was held on the third-floor club level at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

The long lines of fans – the estimates were more than 5,000 – began on the second level where soon after entering the stadium they were greeted by Broncos president Joe Ellis. The fans were then moved up to the third floor, where a spectacular flower arrangement that spelled “MR. B” began the exhibit of more than 300 pieces of memorabilia that Bowlen accumulated over the years.

Then the line moved slowly but steadily outside where a video montage of Bowlen played on the stadium’s jumbo screen before the people were moved into a room where a museum-like collection of the owner’s artifacts awaited.

There were his game balls, photos, a gold jacket with NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame alumni patch in a display case, his famous (or infamous) fur coat, his favorite suit with orange tie … wait a minute.

Gold Jacket? Turns out it was a replica presented to him years ago by Broncos Hall of Famers John Elway and Gary Zimmerman with , and Terrell Davis later autographing it.

There is hope that because Bowlen was alive when he was elected into the Hall of Fame in February that the HOF will deviate from policy and present his family with his own Gold Jacket and HOF ring even though he passed away before his induction in August. In the past, the Hall of Fame has not delivered the Gold Jacket or ring to deceased inductees but Bowlen is the first who was alive when elected.

The exhibit also included the three Lombardi Trophies behind glass display with all three captured during Bowlen’s ownership. There was his well-crafted desk with chewing gum, reading glasses, stationary and pen and pencil/time clock set.

There were also his Super Bowl rings, cowboy boots and aviator sunglasses. All in all an over-the-top display for such a humble man. "We were just talking about it – he would shut this down," said Rod Smith, Bowlen’s all-time favorite receiver. "He wouldn’t want all this fanfare about him. He was always giving to everybody else. But one thing the Broncos have always been about is being No. 1. … This tribute, I was like, how did they pull this together that fast? It’s a tribute to the organization that he built."

Bowlen often referred to Smith as his second-favorite player. Bowlen used to also say that about Gary Zimmerman, Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe.

We all know who was Mr. B’s favorite player.

"Probably John, the guy he gave the job to," Smith said referring to Elway who Bowlen hired as the team’s general manager in 2011. "If you could be anywhere in the discussion that’s a good thing."

Smith went through the procession that ended with a receiving line of Bowlen family members, followed by an enlarged portrait photo of Pat Bowlen that sat in a dazzling triple-king sized bed of light yellow flowers.

Two hours into the open house, the Broncos paused the line so the Bowlen children could address the media and communicate their gratitude.

"It’s been very comforting," said Beth Bowlen Wallace. "It’s been an overwhelming time emotionally for all of us, but to see the fans and to see the players and the staff that have come through has brought great comfort because we realize, which we already did, it just solidifies how much my father meant to this community. It’s mirrored back to them how much this community meant to my father."

Brittany Bowlen was asked what her father would have thought about the open-house tribute.

"He’d be incredibly overwhelmed by all of the support and love," she said. "And there would definitely be a small part of him that would be like, ‘What the heck?’ It’s pretty astonishing to see all of these artifacts and things that were important to him in life and meet all of these people that truly loved him. I think he’d be really incredibly overwhelmed by the support. I think it would be moving for him."

Past and present players who attended the open-house included the Broncos rookies, who were bussed in from team headquarters, Smith, Elway, Peyton Manning, Randy Gradishar, Brandon Stokley, Daniel Graham, Nick Ferguson and Chris Brewer, a former George Washington High School standout who in 1984 was drafted by Bowlen’s Broncos.

"This is family," said Brewer, who continues to call Denver home. "And Mr. Bowlen – Mr. B. It’s hard for me to call him Mr. B.

"Mr. Bowlen’s first year was my first year and being drafted by the Broncos and living that part of my dream was just amazing. But he was just a great man. This is some tribute."

His favorite Bowlen memory?

"He took us to Hawaii one year – Sammy Winder’s Pro Bowl year," Brewer said. "We spent about $18,000 worth of champagne. And he didn’t get too upset … he was a little. But he’s always been generous and he’s always taken care of the alumni. Always. I’ve also played for the Bears and I don’t want to say anything bad about anybody else but there’s no doubt the Broncos and Mr. Bowlen take care of the alumni better than any other franchise and everybody says that."

A large group of kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver were bussed in. That organization became dear to Bowlen and the Broncos after young cornerback Darrent Williams was killed the morning of New Year’s Day, 2007.

Fans included the Mile High Prophet, the Broncnator and the Mile High Salute duo of Bronco Limo Driver and Orange Vader. And there was newly elected Mayor Michael Hancock, who once worked as a Broncos mascot.

The outpouring of support for Bowlen and his family from Broncos Country may have been unprecedented but it was also predictable. The tribute was supposed to conclude at 3 p.m. but it was extended nearly two hours to accomodate the hundreds in line.

"My dad always said we have the best fans in the NFL," said Christianna, the youngest of Pat Bowlen’s seven children. "And this is what he would want to do for them."

A look inside memorial tribute for Pat Bowlen at Mile High By Nicole Brady , Meghan Lopez, Troy Renck KMGH June 19, 2019

Longtime Broncos owner passed away June 13.

Thousands of Broncos fans came to Broncos Stadium at Mile High to celebrate the life of late owner Pat Bowlen on Tuesday.

The tribute was set up inside the club level west lounge at Broncos Stadium, which saw a steady stream of hundreds of fans, Bowlen family members, and current and former Broncos players and staffers passing through to remember Bowlen and his achievements over the years.

The Broncos said they estimated more than 5,000 people attended the memorial, which went two hours past the scheduled 3 p.m. end time, as Bowlen family members stuck around to greet fans and others for more than five hours.

Bowlen passed away on Thursday, June 13 at the age of 75 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Inside the memorial, fans saw memorabilia dating back to Bowlen’s early years as Broncos owner, including the AFC Championship trophies from 1986, 1987 and 1989. The Broncos would finally go on to win their first Super Bowl in 1998 against the . The trophies from all three Broncos Super Bowl victories were on display.

In addition to football memorabilia, the memorial included several photographs and items from Bowlen’s private life. A visitation area gave fans a chance to quietly mourn and pay their respects.

“He was one of the greatest owners the NFL has ever known,” said Bob Volpe. “He’s put money out of his own pocket to support the team.”

One by one, fans wound through room after room of trophies and footballs. Bowlen’s desk was on display as well as his iconic fur coat and his Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket.

“I’ve got to admit he was amazing with what he had done — especially for Denver,” said Abe Lopez.

In one room, a pianist dressed in all white played songs as people passed through the memorial.

“It was such a tribute but it was also still a memorial for him and just to see that piano and the beautiful roses there,” said Dar Lopez.

At the end of the display, there was a picture of Bowlen surrounded by a wall of white roses. Bowlen’s family stood near the exit and shook the hands of hundreds of fans and thanked them for coming.

Fans Denver7 spoke with said they didn’t know Bowlen personally but that he was important to the community and to the Broncos. “You felt like you knew him, and you felt like he knew you. He did everything for the fans,” Chris Trujillo said. “He will be sorely missed.”

Many of the fans shared memories about a time they met Bowlen in passing and either got a picture with him or got his autograph. Many dressed in their Broncos gear and brought their children with them.

“He’s the next generation,” Manual Flores said about his son. “When he grows up, he’ll have this memory.”

Along with thousands of fans, Mayor Michael Hancock, Peyton Manning, John Elway and others came to pay their respects to the family.

A group of Boys and Girls Club kids also came to pay their respects to the family and to see the tribute for themselves. Bowlen made major donations to the Boys and Girls club over the years.

“He’s a person that anybody can kind of modeled their life after as far as what he has done off the field and on the field,” said Trevor Philipps.

Fans arrive in droves to honor Bowlen at public tribute By Pat Graham Associated Press June 19, 2019

Some wore full costumes and others sported jerseys, including one Denver Broncos supporter with "P. Bowlen" on the back. Quite a few devotees stood in the rain for about an hour before making their way inside the stadium.

The fans arrived in droves Tuesday to pay respect to owner Pat Bowlen, who died last week at 75 after a long battle with Alzheimer's, and just two months shy of his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The public tribute to Bowlen at Broncos Stadium at Mile High featured all sorts of memorabilia, including his famous fur coat , Super Bowl trophies , vintage photos, videos and numerous footballs marking big moments. Then there was his desk, which was noteworthy for a piece of paper resting in his in-box . It was a to-do list containing three items: be No. 1 in everything; beat the Raiders; win the Super Bowl.

Of course, all three boxes were checked.

"He'd be incredibly overwhelmed by all this support and love," said Brittany Bowlen, who along with her siblings stood in line for hours greeting fans as they made their way through the exhibit. "It's pretty astonishing, to see all these artifacts and things that were important to him in life. He'd be incredibly overwhelmed by the support. It would be moving for him."

Super fan Jesse Esquibel wore some of his game-day outfit for the occasion, including a mask. He's known as "Bronco Reaper," a name he selected after experiencing a few near-death encounters throughout his life. Another supporter wore an orange Darth Vader helmet.

"I wanted to show," Esquibel said, "that Broncos fans are fans through and through."

Peyton Manning was in attendance. So was John Elway. Longtime receiver Rod Smith recounted a golf game when he partnered with Bowlen and they took on coach and .

"We ended up winning. You should've seen his face — he was fired up," Smith said. "In the weight room, didn't matter where he was, on the treadmill, Pat was competitive."

Very much so.

Bowlen had as many Super Bowl appearances (seven) as losing seasons, and Denver went 354-240-1 since he bought the club in 1984. The team won Super Bowls in 1998, '99 and 2016.

"There's not a person in this community who's had a more profound impact on Denver and the state of and really the Rocky Mountain region than Pat Bowlen," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said. "I wanted to make sure I came and paid my respects to the family and the memory of a great man who's done a lot for all of us." A private funeral service will be held Monday, with Bowlen's good friend John Finney delivering the eulogy. Finney, who lives in Honolulu, has so many rich stories from their longtime friendship. Like how they used to paddle a canoe through giant waves in Hawaii, or how they opened a business together, or their trips on Bowlen's jet.

"He had a lot of friends from all walks of life here, from beach boys to bankers," Finney said in a phone conversation. "He was devoted to the Broncos and devoted to winning."

Finney recalled the time Bowlen came back to Hawaii soon after the Broncos were beaten 55-10 by the in Super Bowl 24. Bowlen steered clear of their beach club for about a month, knowing he would be razzed.

"So Pat finally shows up after a long absence and (someone) says, 'Great game, brah,'" Finney cracked. "We're always teasing one another."

A competitor with class, that was Bowlen's reputation.

"There was not a dishonest bone in his body," Finney said. "He was so respected in the NFL, because the other owners could trust him. He wanted to be part of the betterment of the NFL, and it worked."

On Feb. 7, 2016, Elway thrust the Lombardi Trophy into the air and hollered, "This one's for Pat!" That moment came 18 years after Bowlen had declared, "This one's for John!" following the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.

And on Tuesday, Beth Bowlen Wallace paid respect to the legion of Broncos fans that showed up by saying: "This one is definitely for you all."

Woody Paige: Pat Bowlen honored for checking off a lot of important boxes with Denver Broncos By Woody Paige Colorado Springs Gazette June 19, 2019

The mahogany desk — unpretentious, unassuming uncluttered — was emblematic of the man, and just as he left it.

The polished surface featured a 1990s-style flip phone, reading spectacles, a magnifying glass, business cards including both the Broncos’ former and current logos, a “From the desk of Pat Bowlen’’ memo notepad, a 15-year “Thanks for your service’’ employee recognition clock and pen holder, an old desk calendar and a giant wad of Big Red Gum.

And an in-box tray holding one piece of paper that stated: “To-do list.”

• Be Number One in everything.

• Beat the Raiders.

• Win Super Bowls.

All three boxes were checked.

More than 5,000 Coloradans said their own goodbyes at on Tuesday to the guardian angel of the Broncos through four decades. They steadily streamed, as did rush-hour traffic on adjacent Interstate 25, through the west club level section, reflected and meditated and looked at hundreds of memorabilia exhibits, including Bowlen’s desk from Dove Valley, family photos and the three trophies won by the Broncos.

It was a momentous, meaningful memorial to Can-Am Pat, the man in the Armani suit and the cowboy boots.

All of us teared up but were cheered up.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the tribute, which was extended beyond its scheduled five hours by two to get everyone into the hallways, was the greeting of every child, woman and man who came from Bowlen children Beth, Pat Jr., Johnny, Brittany, Annabel and Christianna. Pat always tried to protect them from the limelight, but the attention has glared on them since their father’s illness took him away from the Broncos and into the dark shadows.

People have wondered about the progeny, particularly because of the future ownership succession issue and ensuing statements, splitting of sides, claims, Johnny’s legal problems, a lawsuit brought by Bowlen’s brother Bill and NFL intervention and arbitration. Truthfully, the entanglements have been worrisome and public and not what Pat ever would have wanted.

However, for the first time, most of the gatherers Tuesday were able to see, touch and hear the Bowlen family. I’ve met the kids over 35 years, and I spent a half-hour with them Tuesday. They are genuine and human and have deep feelings about their father and, as expected, are very emotional over his death. Like most families, they can be flawed, and they can be misunderstood. However, most essential, they care about the Broncos and the citizens of Colorado and keeping the franchise alive and thriving, as their father taught them. They’ve lived here, gone to school and worked here, and grown up with the Broncos and they want to carry on their father’s franchise and the tradition for more generations.

In 55 years of covering sports, I’ve never witnessed such a demonstrative and poignant response to the death of a sports “owner,’’ certainly not in Colorado or in most other locales. In professional football, the esteem paid to Pat Bowlen seemed reminiscent of praises for of the Steelers, of the Bears and of the Chiefs.

As we viewed the giant photo of Pat amid a mass of white roses and listened to a pianist play some of his favorite music, there was an agreement among the people of different races, political parties, ages, backgrounds and occupations: Pat Bowlen was unique.

He wasn’t perfect, and the Broncos weren’t either during his span from 1984 to 2019.

Oh, he was a rich guy from Canada, some said, and knew nothing about football, and probably was a hockey type. He did want to own a hockey team at one point, but Bowlen played high school football in Wisconsin and was a walk-on at powerhouse Oklahoma, and he was a star on a national championship junior football team in — and later built a stadium for his hometown team. The Edmonton Eskimos honored Pat with a moment of silence at their game over the weekend.

There was the fur coat on the sideline that bothered a segment of Broncos’ fanatics There was a slip of the speech about New Orleans residents. And there were streaks of consecutive seasons without playoffs.

Nevertheless, the Broncos were one of the three most successful and dominant NFL teams for decades, and 300 consecutive games sold out at old and new stadiums in Denver. “This was his 301st sellout,’’ a Broncos executive said after watching the crowd.

Denver never had, and never will have, a better one than Bowlen — who will be honored at the Hall of Fame, then at a home game against the Titans, with a decal on the back of the Broncos’ helmets — Mr. B and with a place in sports and Colorado history

Near the end last week, Pat sang Oklahoma’s “Boomer Sooner’’ fight song with a daughter. He never went down without a fight and a smile. On the wall of notes signed by visitors Tuesday, a woman wrote: “One word for Pat Bowlen — WINNER!’’

If he were still here, he wouldn’t have been there. Pat Bowlen never would have approved, accepted or attended the homage.

His desk was clean, and his list was complete.

Pat Bowlen did not leave life undone.

DeMarcus Ware, reflect on Owner Pat Bowlen's legacy By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com June 19, 2019

Just as DeMarcus Ware prepared for his first season with the Broncos after signing with the team in 2014, Owner Pat Bowlen stepped away from the day-to-day operations of the team to focus on his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

But though Ware didn’t interact with Bowlen on a daily basis, he felt Bowlen’s impact on the organization during Ware’s three seasons in Denver.

“It was hard to see him pass, but I know that he’s still living amongst all of us,” Ware said Tuesday at the 2019 Jefferson Awards. “He left something [behind] that’s really big in not just the Denver Broncos but how to really live life.”

Bowlen passed away Thursday night after a lengthy battle with the disease.

“You go into an organization knowing how much the owner put in to it,” Ware said. “He wasn’t just an owner that said, ‘Well, I’m just going to put my money in to it.’ He said, ‘I’m going to put my money into the community too, and I’m going to etch my name in stone in Colorado.’ When you have an owner that cares not just about the community, but about the team and the little meticulous things that make a team great, [it’s special].”

During Ware’s 12-year career, the likely future Pro Football Hall of Famer played for two Hall of Fame owners.

In Dallas, where Ware started his career, he donned the star for , who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Then, when Ware signed with the Broncos, he joined an organization led by Bowlen, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in August.

Both men showed Ware how championship-level organizations should be run.

“I think the expectations were really high, and they sacrificed everything they had so everybody else could benefit,” Ware said. “They worked hard. Working for Jerry, he worked hard. Working for the Bowlens, they worked really hard. Everything was about that team, the players, about everything in the community and bringing the community into the stadium and saying, ‘This stadium is your home.’”

Ware turned in one of his most memorable performances on the evening when the Broncos honored Bowlen as a Broncos Ring of Famer. In November 2015, Ware and the Broncos held the previously undefeated Packers to one touchdown in a 29-10 win. Ware had a thundering sack of Aaron Rodgers that he punctuated with a Hulk-esque celebration.

Ware was in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to introduce Von Miller, who accepted the 2019 Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service in Sports.

Miller, who was drafted in 2011, saw the same devotion to winning as Ware.

"In the NFL," Miller said, "you want an owner that wants to win. Mr. B, he not only just talked about it, he was about it 100 percent."

Miller also said that he’s grateful that he had the opportunity to get to know Bowlen before he stepped away.

“It was great,” Miller said. “I was fortunate to get to know Mr. B before his sickness. I feel like he knew me, as well. ... I think it was my second year in the league, I was walking right in front of the equipment room and he said, ‘Von.’ He said my name, and he was like, ‘Have a great day today. Go out there and kill them this week.’ And I was like, ‘Whoa! Mr. B talked to me!’ This was right at the point when he was dealing some of the issues that he was dealing with, but for him to remember me and talk to me and pull me to the side, it meant the world to me.”

“… I feel honored and blessed to be able to be one of the last few ones to get to know him.”

Tribute to Pat Bowlen showcases fans’ connection to the man who made it all possible By Ben Swanson DenverBroncos.com June 19, 2019

They were the pieces of a life made in football.

Not just the three Lombardi trophies or seven Lamar Hunt trophies. Not just the numerous game balls commemorating some of the biggest wins in Broncos history.

The tribute to Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen at Broncos Stadium at Mile High included so much more than that. There was the autographed knee brace that John Elway gave him after his final game. Photographs with US presidents. His collection of Sports Illustrated covers that featured Broncos players.

Some of these items had been previously kept in the trophy case at the team’s headquarters at UCHealth Training Center, but many more were private keepsakes.

But after Bowlen passed away late Thursday night after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the family decided to do something that perhaps had no precedent: They’d make all those mementos available for viewing to the public as a part of an open-house tribute to honor Bowlen’s life and his accomplishments.

“I’ve never seen a lot of the stuff that was here,” said fan Rick Martinez, who met Bowlen after a game in 2005, “but it’s just really amazing to see all the things that they acquired and that he’s had and just that makes him who he is, who he was as a man.”

In his 35 years as the team owner, Bowlen clearly forged a special relationship with those who supported the Broncos. It wasn’t just about the football accomplishments for those paying their respects to one of Colorado’s most-beloved residents.

“He gave us a lot — thousands ... and millions of people fond memories of football,” Martinez said. “But what he did as a person was just amazing. That somebody with such dominance, such stature is still small when it comes to giving back to the community and sharing with others. That means a lot to me. When people have a lot, that’s one thing. But when they share, that puts them in a whole different ballgame.”

Fans, Broncos staff members, former players and other NFL colleagues lined up to show their appreciation and meet the family throughout the day. John Elway, Peyton Manning, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, longtime Broncos athletic trainer and current Director of Sports Medicine Steve “Greek” Antonopulos and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock were among those to visit the children and grandchildren representing the family.

But so many more people whom Bowlen and his family had never met wanted to make sure they expressed how much they loved the man who for decades had been a driving force behind the Broncos’ success.

“He’d be incredibly overwhelmed by all of the support and love,” daughter Brittany Bowlen said. “… It’s pretty astonishing to see all of these artifacts and things that were important to him in life and meet all of these people that truly loved him.”

And on a difficult day, all the support they got from so many people made a big impact.

“It’s been very comforting,” said daughter Beth Bowlen Wallace. “It’s been an overwhelming time emotionally for all of us, but to see the fans and to see the players and the staff that have come through has brought great comfort because we realize, which we already did, it just solidifies [it] — how much my father meant to this community. It’s mirrored back to them how much this community meant to my father.”

It didn’t take until Tuesday for that to be evident, though. Many admirers visited Bowlen’s statue on the south side of the stadium since Friday to express their gratitude for his devotion, leadership and passion for their favorite team, often leaving flowers, photos, notes or other small items.

On Friday, someone left their tie — a Broncos-themed Looney Tunes design — that Bowlen had autographed at a chance meeting years earlier.

“I happened to be wearing this tie one day when I ran into Mr. B in a convenience store,” the accompanying note read. “We had a nice conversation and he graciously signed the tie stating[,] ‘I love Looney Tunes!’ A great man! Colorado and all of Broncos country are lucky to have known him!”

By Tuesday, that tie had been added to the tribute. The final display included a wall of family photographs and corkboards where fans could post their own messages to the family.

Pat Bowlen may be gone, but his connection to Broncos fans will endure — and the treasures that he made possible will continue to grow.

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS BY THE BOWLEN FAMILY

On why it was important to have today’s tribute open for fans

Christianna Bowlen: “Because my dad always said we have the best fans in the NFL, and this is what he would want to do for them.”

On what they are hearing from fans and friends

Annabel Bowlen: “We’re hearing stories about their memories of our dad and how he would sit quietly or stand quietly on the sidelines, and then as soon as we had a win or a touchdown, he would be jumping up and down. That always made them smile.”

On seeing fans and the children from the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club and Club Director Rich Barrows

Johnny Bowlen: “Special to see all of the kids and how they interact with the family, and also kind of just what’s going on outside of here in the museum and see how excited they are to see my dad. I think that’s very special.”

Brittany Bowlen: “It was emotional to see Rich. My dad loved Rich so much and he’s been with Boys and Girls Club since my dad decided to put in the teen addition (Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center). He really carries some of the values that were most important to my dad, so it was really great to see them.”

Additional comments

Annabel Bowlen:“We’d like to thank the Denver community for coming out and showing their support. This really means so much to us and it would mean a lot to my father. Thank you.”

Patrick Bowlen: “Thank you guys so much.”

Beth Bowlen Wallace: “And this one is definitely for you all.”

Brittany Bowlen: “Thank you.”

Broncos Film Room: Breaking down the four greatest moments of the Pat Bowlen era By Andre Simone BSN Denver June 19, 2019

It’s been a tough week in Broncos Country, as the passing of legendary owner Pat Bowlen has been at the front of everyone’s mind.

So while we still have that fire to dig deep into fullback tape and assess the best options at strong safety, this week’s film room is for Pat.

Which is why, as a tribute to Mr. B, we went through the history vaults and found the four greatest plays in his 35-year tenure as the Denver Broncos owner.

This is Broncos Film Room’s own little way to pay homage and celebrate Pat’s greatest moments as the Broncos owner. Mr. B’s teams have left us with some amazing memories; here are the four that resonated the most and how they unfolded.

The Drive In just the third season under Bowlen, the Broncos found themselves with their back against the wall down 20-13 in Cleveland, pinned back at their own two-yard line with 5:32 left to play.

What ensued would simply be known as “The Drive,” resulting in Bowlen’s first Super Bowl appearance as an owner, his first of seven.

In this instance, it was—of course—Elway who quarterbacked the historic 15 plays and 98 yards of cool, collected brilliance that would lead Denver to the AFC title, with a mix of gutsy runs, scrambles, and precise bullets that carved up the Browns.

Two plays stood out from the drive, the first is Denver’s 3rd-and-18 conversion with 1:47 remaining.

Up to the point, Elway and Co. had managed to move the chains methodically. However, 3rd-and-18 was different, setting the tone for what was to come with this 20-yard laser to Mark Jackson, who’d struggled to hold onto the ball previously in the game.

As you can see, , who was famously known for his ground and pound approach on offense, threw in a little trickeration on the play. Despite the long down and distance, it looks like the Broncos are in a classing two-back set with two wideouts and a tight end. Actually, Denver had Steve Watson in the backfield, putting him in motion to clear out the middle of the field.

Jackson, lined up wide left, runs a nice in-cutting route right to the sticks and does a great job of wiggling open right off the bat to beat press-coverage and gain inside leverage.

The Broncos offensive line, with the Browns only rushing three, also gave Elway solid protection, allowing the routes to unfold and Elway to step up to gun it deep. No. 7’s bullet pass made the play happen, as did Jackson, who did a nice job finding a soft spot in the Browns coverage despite Cleveland dropping eight.

The other play that stands out is, obviously, the touchdown that capped off the drive to tie the game up and set the Broncos up for their subsequent overtime win.

Once again, Elway found Jackson with a tight-window dime, as he stepped up and delivered an absolute laser that the Browns defense could do nothing about.

Once again, the Broncos’ coaching staff used an unconventional personnel grouping for 3rd-and-1 at the Browns five, bringing out a four-wide look with trips to the right side.

Again, a motion man was key, this time with Jackson going in motion from the slot to the left side, exposing the man coverage Cleveland was in.

With a head of steam, Denver’s No. 80 won inside leverage with ease, and Elway let rip another phenomenal pass with perfect timing, anticipation and zip.

Yes, we’ve already picked two plays, cheating our ranking system a bit, but the way in which Denver pulled off the great comeback in the hostile confines of the 1986 AFC Championship is, without debate, one of the top-two greatest moments in franchise history.

With all that context, these two amazing throws and play calls are at the top of our list as Elway and Bowlen’s reign of success really took off from there.

Elway puts it all on the line The real debate for the top two moments came down to the Drive and Elway’s iconic third-down conversion in Super Bowl 32, arguably the most important play in franchise history for all that it meant.

With the Broncos and Green Bay Packers all tied up at 17 in the third quarter, Denver found themselves in the red zone, but had to convert to keep pace with and Mike Holmgren’s attack.

Already in field goal range, No. 7 didn’t want to force a throw in a four-wide look with tight end Shannon Sharpe flexed out in the slot.

With pressure coming up the middle on a stunt from just a three-man rush, Elway quickly navigated the pocket, and as soon as he reset, took off to the right with his eyes on the sticks the entire time, locked in on bringing home the franchise’s first Lombardi trophy.

Right as he approached the first-down marker, he was met by three Packers defenders, with nowhere to go.

That’s when Elway, forgetting his 37-years of age, leaped in the air, using all his might to convert the remaining half yard. One Packer defender went low, another tackled Elway’s right shoulder, which spun John around for a full 360 degrees.

All of Broncos Country held their collective breath for a brief second before the Duke landed on the right side of the sticks, unscathed. Denver would cap the drive off with a touchdown and never look back, but none of it could’ve happened if not for the jolt that Elway gave his offense in the third quarter.

Of note, the play couldn’t have happened if not for center sealing off his block to allow John to run up the middle before veering right to the sideline.

The N0. 1 defensive touchdown of the Bowlen era Pundits who didn’t think the Broncos could beat the in seemed to ignore one crucial matchup; Carolina right tackle Mike Remmers against a guy named Von Miller.

Remmers was having a fine season to that point and has been able to earn a nice living as an NFL tackle, but in that playoff run—as Miller took his game to another level—he stood no chance.

Before the play even happened, one key to the Broncos defense in stifling the Panthers attack was an adjustment made by coordinator Wade Phillips to nullify Carolina’s devastating rushing attack against nickel defenses.

To prevent that from happening, Phillips made a point of substituting safety T.J. Ward for cornerback on such looks, thus countering Carolina’s three-receiver looks with three cornerbacks but still maintaining the numerical advantage up front to prevent Carolina’s running game from devouring yards against lighter nickel fronts.

However, on an obvious passing down such as this early 3rd-and-10, Phillips unleashed a rare six- defensive-back formation that confused Cam Newton and forced him to go off of his primary read.

That’s when No. 58 came into the picture for the Broncos most important defensive touchdown in the Bowlen era.

Miller attacked Remmers’ inside shoulder with his right hand only to swipe his outside arm with his left hand and instantly pounce into the backfield to take down Newton and knock the ball out all in one motion. Von wasn’t just trying to get a sack, he set out to force the big play and did.

In fact, Miller’s immediate attempt to force the ball out made it so that he touched Newton’s face mask, which luckily wasn’t flagged.

Despite looking like they were going to bring extra pressure, another factor that confused Newton and delayed him from getting the ball out, Phillips only rushed four, and all Von needed to do was win that one-on-one matchup outside to turn the game on its head.

Malik Jackson and DeMarcus Ware were in the backfield in a hurry to jump on the loose ball and score once Von couldn’t haul in the football.

While this play occurred once Bowlen had already given up control of the team, this was still very much a Bowlen-era play. Famously, Elway declared “This one’s for Pat!” after the win and that strip sack from the game’s MVP sparked everything for the Broncos third Super Bowl championship in their history.

Champ goes 103 Picking the fourth and final play on this list wasn’t easy, with Champ Bailey’s 103-yard interception return of Tom Brady in the 2005 divisional round edging out “.”

While “The Fumble” marked a crucial late-game miracle to put the Broncos into the Super Bowl a year after The Drive did, that was more than anything a mistake by the Browns that’ll forever be etched into the history books. While the Broncos benefitted from that play, it’s hard to truly consider it one of the great plays in Denver history.

Champ’s 103-yard interception return to put the Broncos up big and give Tom Brady and Bill Belichick their first playoff loss together is another story, and would start a trend of big wins by the Broncos at home against the Patriots dynasty.

Up 10-6 as the third quarter was winding down, the Pats looked poised to take the lead down in the red zone on third-and-goal.

With the clock ticking, Champ and the Broncos’ defensive backs were in off coverage right at the edge of the end zone. Denver’s defensive coordinator Larry Coyer brought extra pressure up the middle, which forced Brady into an off-balance throw where the middle of the field was clogged, and the quarterback had nowhere to go but outside.

At first glance, this was a good decision by Brady, who didn’t want to force an errant pass up the middle in traffic. Going outside proved to be a massive mistake, though, because of who was in coverage there— arguably the greatest cornerback of his generation.

New England’s outside receiver looked like he was going inside but then came back to the corner and actually had outside leverage, though that’s exactly where Bailey wanted him with the sideline as an extra defender for No. 24 to exploit.

Brady was unable to put strong ball placement on the pass, putting it on the receiver’s inside shoulder rather than outside, allowing Champ to make a great grab to showcase his stellar ball-skills and take off.

This was almost a disastrous play as Bailey was run down by tight end Ben Watson, who knocked the ball out as he tackled Champ and almost forced a touchback.

This would have been just another bout of good fortune for Brady, who in those years seemed to always get bailed out by someone or something in the postseason. That wasn’t the case this time, though, as after three championships in four years Brady and Belichick got their first playoff loss with Bailey leading a tremendous defensive unit all the way to the AFC Championship.

It’s only fitting that the fourth and final play of the Bowlen era is a Champ Bailey interception since Champ will be joining Mr. B in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2019 as a first-ballot selection.

Sixty Since 60: The greatest Broncos of all-time, Nos. 56- 60 By James Merilatt 104.3 The Fan June 19, 2019

On September 9, 1960, the Broncos played in the upstart League’s first-ever game, beating the Patriots 13-10 in Boston. On September 9, 2019, Denver will kick off the 60th season in franchise history when they travel to Oakland to take another of the AFL’s original teams, the Raiders.

Sixty seasons. Starting in 1960. It’s all too symmetrical and perfect not to celebrate.

From that first season through today, thousands of players have donned the orange and blue (and even the brown and yellow). Plenty came and went, having forgettable careers in the Mile High City. But a select few stood out. A handful of Broncos became legends, in this town and beyond.

Who falls into that category? In the coming weeks, 104TheFan.com will count down the 60 greatest players in Broncos history.

It kicks off today, with Nos. 56-60.

***

60. | QB | 2010-11

No player in Broncos history has ever been more of a supernova than their first-round pick in 2010. During a magical 2011 season in which the quarterback led Denver to six consecutive wins, many in improbable fashion, Tebow became the biggest story in sports. ESPN provided wall-to-wall coverage of his every move, talk shows debated the merits of his game and national reporters flooded to Dove Valley.

During that time, the Broncos went from 2-5 and circling the drain to atop the AFC West and headed to the playoffs. In the postseason, Tebow’s 80-yard touchdown pass to on the first play of overtime to beat the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Game at Sports Authority Field is arguably one of the top-five moments in franchise history and perhaps the best memory most fans have in that stadium.

It was also Tebow’s final home game as a Bronco. Following a loss at New England the following week, the only quarterback ever drafted by the team to win a playoff game for the franchise saw his career in Denver come to an end. The franchise signed Peyton Manning in the offseason, which led to a change at quarterback, as Tebow was traded to the Jets.

Tebow only started 16 games (including the postseason) in orange and blue, and only posted nine career wins, but few players have made more of an impact. Those three unforgettable months will live on in the memories of fans for years to come.

“Easily one of the most-polarizing athletes to ever come through Denver. His season as the starting QB in Denver will go down as one of the most interesting, electrifying, unbelievable years in Broncos history. Simply put, the Broncos won games that year that in retrospect just shouldn’t have happened. All that, plus I got a tattoo out of the whole experience.” – Mike Evans

***

59. Mike Harden | CB / S | 1980-88

Other members of the Broncos defense during the Dan Reeves era earned more accolades and are perhaps better remembered by fans, but few were as important as Harden. He was a key member of the team for nearly a decade, toiling in the shadows while others got most of the glory. During that time, he played 128 games in a Denver uniform, 98 as a starter. And he was an ironman of sorts, missing only five games after becoming a full-time starter in 1983.

Harden had one of the toughest jobs in Joe Collier’s defense, lining up opposite of Louis Wright. Few quarterbacks wanted to test one of the greatest cornerbacks in league history, so they’d take their chances by going Harden’s direction instead. He was almost always up to the task. As a Bronco, Harden hauled in 33 interceptions, placing him sixth on the franchise’s all-time list.

His best season was in 1986, when with the Broncos returned to the Super Bowl for the first time in nine years. That year, he had a team-high six interceptions and scored three touchdowns, two off of picks and one on a return. During that memorable campaign, Harden was all over the field, providing a spark to a defense that was trying to get the last out of the final members of the original Orange Crush.

“Harden was a consistent, hard-hitting DB for the Broncos in the 1980s and was a key member of two Super Bowl defenses.” – John Davis

***

58. | WR | 1985-93, ’95

After being picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 1985 draft, “The Vance” immediately became one of the flashiest players on the team – both on and off the field. During his career in Denver, Johnson started 128 games across 10 seasons, hauled in 415 passes (sixth-most in franchise history) for 5,695 yards (eighth) and 37 touchdowns (eighth). But the numbers only tell part of the story.

He was also on the receiving end of some of the biggest passes in John Elway’s career. Few can forget the late-game bomb he caught at Mile High Stadium on a fourth-and-10 play against the Chiefs or the big numbers he posted in Super Bowl XXI (five catches, 121 yards and a touchdown), but it was a wobbly toss during the 1991 NFL Playoffs that provided Johnson’s defining moment.

During what would become known as “The Drive II,” Elway hit the wide receiver with an improvised pass on fourth-and-10 that went for 44 yards and set up the game-winning field goal. It was a perfect example of Johnson having a flair for the dramatic, something he demonstrated throughout his career.

Off the field, he showed his love of the spotlight by being the ring leader of the team’s famed “Three Amigos” wide receiver trio. Teaming up with Mark Jackson and Ricky Nattiel for music videos, posters and more, which secured Johnson’s place in Broncos lore.

“Before Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, Vance Johnson was John Elway’s favorite big-play receiver.” – John Davis

***

57. | LB | 1996-2003

The Broncos didn’t win a Super Bowl when Terrell Davis scored his third rushing touchdown against the Packers. And Denver didn’t get over the hump when John Elway took a knee to run out the clock in the waning seconds of that game. Rather, an NFL championship finally came to the Mile High City when John Mobley knocked down Brett Favre’s fourth-down pass late in Super Bowl XXXII.

That deflection became the signature play of Mobley’s eight-year career with the Broncos, but it was far from his only contribution. The 15th overall pick in the 1996 draft, Mobley was an immediate starter in Denver. And by season two, he was a first-team All-NFL selection.

That ’97 season was without a doubt his finest in orange and blue, as he recorded 132 combined tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. Mobley was an integral part of an aggressive, opportunistic defense that was the perfect complement to the team’s high-flying offense. That group ultimately helped the Broncos win back-to-back titles in 1997 and ’98.

“The Broncos poster child for the idea that great players can come from anywhere. In this case, it was tiny Kutztown. A true three-down linebacker who excelled in many different ways. Of course, his pass knockdown that clinched the Super Bowl win over Green Bay was perhaps the greatest play in Broncos history because it delivered the organization and their loyal fan base that cherished first championship.” – Mike Evans

***

56. Al Denson | WR / TE | 1964-70

In the mid-1960s, the Broncos weren’t a very good team; they didn’t win a lot of games and didn’t boast many stars. That started to change in 1967, however, when two offensive players burst onto the scene in Denver.

While rookie Floyd Little got most of the headlines, understandable for the future Hall of Fame running back and first-ever first-round draft pick to sign with the team, the emergence of flanker Al Denson also helped ignite the fan base. After spending three seasons working his way up the depth chart, the pass catcher from Florida A&M finally got his chance to be a starter. And he made the most of it.

In 1967, Denson led the with 11 touchdown receptions; that’s an impressive number even today, but it was staggering during a season in which the Broncos had 17 TD passes as a team and only scored 27 total offensive touchdowns. Two years later, Denson proved it was no fluke, hauling in 10 touchdowns to earn a spot on the final AFL Pro Bowl roster.

Despite playing in a completely different era, Denson name still litters the Broncos record book. He’s in the top-15 in franchise history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

“A classically built wide receiver, Denson was first-team All-AFL in 1967, when he caught 46 passes for 899 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per catch.” – Sandy Clough

Coming soon…

Wednesday, June 19 – Nos. 51-55 Thursday, June 20 – Nos. 46-50

Tuesday, June 25 – Nos. 41-45 Wednesday, June 26 – Nos. 36-40 Thursday, June 27 – Nos. 31-35

Tuesday, July 2 – Nos. 26-30 Wednesday, July 3 – Nos. 21-25 Thursday, July 4 – Nos. 16-20

Tuesday, July 9 – Nos. 11-15 Wednesday, July 10 – Nos. 6-10 Thursday, July 11 – Nos. 1-5

Top five Broncos games during the Pat Bowlen era By Kevin Kissner 104.3 The Fan June 19, 2019

Since buying the Broncos in 1984, Pat Bowlen oversaw a team that brought many great memories to Broncos Country. In fact, he was in charge during some of the most-important moments in NFL history.

So as we celebrate the greatest owner in professional sports, let’s break down the greatest games in Broncos history under Mr. B.

***

5. Peyton Manning’s seven TD passes

Right after the Broncos were eliminated in the playoffs in January of 2013 by the Ravens, Denver couldn’t wait to get back onto the field the following season. Many people believe the 2012 Broncos team was the best and most complete team during the Peyton Manning era and were ready to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999. After the Broncos were heartbroken by Joe Flacco and Jacoby Jones, however, Manning and this offense was on a mission for revenge.

Players have told stories that offensive coordinator Adam Gase was game planning for the Ravens way before the final preseason game because he was ready to embarrass the defending Super Bowl champions. Many people have forgotten that the Broncos didn’t score in the first quarter. In the second, however, Manning began his magic and threw the first of his seven touchdown passes.

On the night, Manning would connect with Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas for two touchdowns a piece, and Andre Caldwell for another. Manning would tie the record for the most touchdown passes in a single game in NFL history and that game would lead to Manning having the greatest offensive season any quarterback has ever had and add another MVP to his name.

***

4. Tim Tebow beats the Steelers

Every person that was at this game can remember that exact feeling when Demaryius Thomas was running down the sideline into the south end zone. The Broncos were already having the craziest season maybe ever in franchise history, with the way they were winning games with Tim Tebow behind center.

After winning the AFC West with a 8-8 record, Denver would host Pittsburgh, who had the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL. Nobody gave the Broncos a chance to win this game, but Tebow’s left arm gave Denver a shot. Tebow would have the best game of his career, throwing for 316 yards, two touchdown passes and a 125.6 quarterback rating.

After the Broncos’ defense stopped Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers final drive in the fourth quarter, we would be going into overtime with the new overtime rules that nobody could seemingly understand. (I understood them perfectly.) It was simple: Score a touchdown and the game is over. The Broncos did just that. With Tebow getting the snap, faking a handoff to Willis McGahee and firing a dart across the middle to Thomas at the 37-yard line, Thomas would then stiff arm Ike Taylor at the 45, and outrun the entire black-and-yellow secondary to the end zone, disappearing into the tunnel for the win.

That stadium has never sounded so loud in all of the years that it has been standing. Any fan that was at that game knows what I’m talking about. This game might not rank in the top five games under Pat Bowlen, but possibly a top five NFL game ever.

***

3. Super Bowl 50

The final Super Bowl win under Pat Bowlen was a special one. When Bowlen hired Elway into the front office, he said that he hoped Elway would say, “This one’s for Pat.”

After four years of falling just short under head coach John Fox, Elway went ahead and hired , who bled orange and blue. Kubiak was part of the first two Super Bowl wins for the Broncos and was there from the get-go under Mr. B. The Broncos got the band back together for one final ride.

With the help of a Hall of Fame quarterback managing the perfect game on offense and the power of one of the greatest defenses of all-time, Von Miller would lead the Broncos to a 24-10 victory over the Panthers. With Bowlen unable to be in Santa Clara to watch the gold confetti fall down on him, Elway made sure to make it feel like he was there.

When holding that Lombardi Trophy up high, the circumstances came in full circle and Elway made sure to say, “This one’s for Pat!”

***

2. The Drive

Every Broncos fan will talk about this game for the rest of their life. Every Broncos fan will remember the image of Bowlen during this game because he was on the sideline wearing the legendary fur coat.

This would be one of the most memorable games in NFL history because the comeback king in Elway would add another comeback to his resume, going 98-and-a-half yards to force overtime on the muddy field in Cleveland, Ohio during the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos would win the game and Elway would break the hearts of Browns fans everywhere. This win gave the Broncos their first Super Bowl appearance under the ownership of Bowlen.

***

1. Super Bowl XXXII

The greatest and most memorable game under Pat Bowlen’s ownership came on January 25, 1998, in San Diego, when the Broncos defeated the Packers 31-24. After three previous Super Bowl losses for Bowlen, the future Hall of Famer found the correct equation on how to win a Super Bowl. With the Broncos being heavy underdogs going into the game, this team didn’t back down. Elway didn’t have his best game, but he let his future Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis led the way, rushing for 157 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Davis would put on one of the greatest Super Bowl performances ever, but everyone would remember the postgame celebrations.

Bowlen finally did it. He put together a Super Bowl winning franchise. We will always remember Mr. B standing on the sideline wearing that fur coat during “The Drive,” helping out in the community, but every Broncos fan will remember when he held that Lombardi Trophy up in the air and say the four words that we will never forget in Denver: “This one’s for John.”

Bowlen's Broncos Succession Plan Unchanged In Wake Of Death By Staff Sports Business Journal June 19, 2019

Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis said that the succession plan to replace late Owner Pat Bowlen "remains unchanged," according to Ryan O'Halloran of the DENVER POST. Ellis: "I’m going to be careful and be sensitive to the family. ... I would just tell you that nothing has changed." Ellis' comments can be "viewed as a sign he and the trustees are not in a time crunch to find a successor or sell the team." Two of Bowlen’s seven children, Beth Bowlen Wallace and Brittany Bowlen, have "expressed their desire to replace their father" as controlling owner. It is "believed the Broncos still plan to bring Brittany Bowlen, 29, back to the organization by the end of this year," She previously worked for the team for one year. It appears Pat Bowlen’s death has also "not changed any aspects of his brother Bill’s lawsuit against the trustees." Meanwhile, Ellis said that the Broncos will "honor Bowlen during the season with a decal 'Mr. B' on the jerseys and helmets" (DENVER POST, 6/18). Broncos President of Football Operations & GM John Elway said the ownership situation "will play itself out." Elway: "There’s a transition plan that Pat [put] together and I’m sure Joe will execute it the way Pat wanted it." Ellis said of the late owner, "He put a plan in place. It was his plan. As a trustee, it’s my obligation and our obligation with my other two fellow trustees to carry out the plan" (9NEWS.com, 6/18).

LASTING IMPACT: Elway said part of Bowlen's legacy in Denver is that he "ran this football team with his heart and not his pocketbook." Elway: "The players felt that. ... Nothing means more than when your owner and the main boss is at practice every single day. If it’s that important to him, it rubbed off on us as players.” Elway, who visited Bowlen for the last time last Wednesday, said every decision he makes is "based off what Pat would do and what is the best decision for the Denver Broncos" (DENVER POST, 6/18).

Pat Bowlen’s family finds “great comfort” to see thousands at stadium memorial By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk June 19, 2019

The family of the late Pat Bowlen invited the public to Broncos Stadium at Mile High to remember the longtime Broncos owner on Tuesday and thousands of people showed up to pay their respects.

Those who attended the service were greeted by Broncos president Joe Ellis, moved through a room with memorabilia from Bowlen’s time as the Broncos owner on display and were then met by members of the Bowlen family.

“It’s been very comforting,” Beth Bowlen Wallace said, via Mike Klis of KUSA. “It’s been an overwhelming time emotionally for all of us, but to see the fans and to see the players and the staff that have come through has brought great comfort because we realize, which we already did, it just solidifies how much my father meant to this community. It’s mirrored back to them how much this community meant to my father.”

Past and present Broncos were also on hand, including former wide receiver Rod Smith. Smith said that he didn’t think Bowlen would have cared for “all this fanfare about him,” but the days since his death have made it clear that Bowlen is well remembered all around the football world.

Chris Harris thinks Broncos defense is perfect for him By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk June 19, 2019

Cornerback Chris Harris spent much of the offseason away from the Broncos before landing a new deal for the 2019 season in late May and joining the team’s final practices before training camp.

That was a small window of time to work with new head coach , but Harris said it was productive because Fangio is “all about business” and “clear cut” about what he’s looking for from his players. Harris also said that he believes his skills are a great match for the things Fangio is looking for from his cornerbacks.

“It’s the perfect defense for a corner, especially for me,” Harris said during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show. “I can blitz, I get to do everything that I’ve been doing and more. He has the right scheme to get his DBs lot of interceptions, like we’ve seen with the Bears. I think they had almost 30 interceptions last year as a defense. In this system, I definitely feel like everybody’s got a chance to get their interceptions up.”

Offensive struggles have played a big part in the team’s 20-28 record over the last three seasons, but a return to the overwhelming defensive efforts from years past would still be welcome in Denver. Harris can play a major role in helping make that happen as he plays out the final year of his contract with the Broncos.