Pat Bowlen not expected to attend induction into Broncos Ring of Fame

[Denver Native (Carol)]

from article:


Behind the scenes, Bowlen exhibited a humble touch with players. As the Broncos embark on 10 events honoring their owner, culminating with Sunday night's induction into the Ring of Fame, president Joe Ellis reflected on a favorite memory of Bowlen, who is not expected to attend as he battles Alzheimer's disease.

The Broncos faced the Chicago Bears at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. Tackle Matt Lepsis learned at halftime that his wife had gone into labor with possible complications. He paced the sideline worried. Bowlen reacted quickly, informing staff Lepsis would travel back to Denver with him.

"From the moment we left Champagne until we touched down on the Centennial air strip, he kept Matt at ease, talking about the NFL, taking his mind off things," said Ellis, who visited with Bowlen on Thursday morning. "His wife and baby turned out fine. I will always remember that moment. He did so many special things for the players."

Bowlen spared no expense in chasing wins. He measured the franchise on championships, which adds a layer of significance on Sunday. Roughly 35 players and seven coaches, including Mike Shanahan, from the 1997 team are expected to return for weekend events and Sunday's ceremony. The group won the first of Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Denver will wear its blue jersey and white pants Sunday, matching the colors donned against Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXII.

full article - http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_29042696/pat-bowlen-not-expected-attend-induction-into-broncos-ring-fame

[BroncoJoe]

Thanks for posting - I was wondering. It would have been awesome to see him there, but I doubted he'd show up.

[weazel]

that's too bad

[Denver Native (Carol)]

What do you think it meant to Mr. Bowlen to see the franchise get back on the right track before he stepped away because of Alzheimer's disease?

"Well, I think he was proud of that. But that was also -- and always will be -- his expectation: that we're going to put the right people in place and we're going to turn it around, and if we make a mistake, then we're going to fix it again.

"He didn't consider it rocket science. He's had -- and has always had -- a good feel for when it's time to make these moves, and when the right time is. But he doesn't take much satisfaction [in it]. He's too modest to take personal satisfaction in having those situations corrected. He's more concerned with, 'Are we ready to win the Super Bowl each and every year?' I think that's his focus.

"I don't think he is a guy who believes in rebuilding. He's a guy that believes in quick retooling. That's how he approached it, and I don't think he sat back and said, 'Wow, look at the moves we've made to make things better.' Because it's never good enough for him until you win that Super Bowl. That's how competitive he is."

rest - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-PresidentCEO-Joe-Ellis-discusses-Pat-Bowlens-legacy-and-the-future-of-ownership/223c551e-23ed-49ec-85e9-6b869ac2a62f

Also videos on link

[Denver Native (Carol)]

ENGLEWOOD—Just about everybody will be there for Pat Bowlen.

His wife Annabel will speak on his behalf as the Denver Broncos induct their longtime owner into the team's Ring of Fame. His seven children will be there.

More than 40 members from the Broncos' 1997 Super Bowl championship team will attend, as well as more than 20 Ring of Famers. John Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Terrell Davis, Rod Smith, Tom Nalen, Steve Atwater and Gary Zimmerman are members of both groups.

rest - http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/2015/10/29/pat-bowlen-denver-broncos/74824974/

[Denver Native (Carol)]

DENVER -- As Broncos officials, Ring of Famers, Broncos alumni and members of the 1997 world championship team looked on with pride, Annabel Bowlen and the rest of the Bowlen family pulled back a blue drape to reveal the pillar honoring Pat Bowlen at Ring of Fame Plaza on Friday night.

The unveiling kicked off a weekend of ceremonies to honor Bowlen's induction as the 28th member of the Ring of Fame.

"It means the world to me, to be honest with you," said Steve Atwater, a Ring of Fame inductee in 2005 and member of the Super Bowl XXXII-winning team. "He's a gentleman who is definitely more deserving than anybody to have his face and body embodied up there in the Ring of Fame.

rest - plus photos and videos
http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Pat-Bowlens-pillar-unveiled-at-Ring-of-Fame-Plaza/2bbbafc3-bac1-4081-b1cc-95eaaf5cf816

[Denver Native (Carol)]

DENVER -- A multitude of greats from Broncos history are gathering to celebrate their past, honor the latest addition to the franchise's elite club and, finally, watch the current edition of the Broncos try to maintain its undefeated status.

This weekend is everything that Pat Bowlen would want. It's everything he could have envisioned when he created the Ring of Fame and, as the years passed, when he nurtured Alumni Weekend into a gala event that tied the past with the present.

The rest of the NFL has caught on, with each team now designating one weekend as the "Homecoming." But the Broncos and Bowlen were ahead of the curve.

rest - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Then-and-now-Broncos-would-run-through-a-brick-wall-for-Pat-Bowlen/ec4128d2-25f0-485b-8130-aa058ac04131

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Mr. Bowlen's pillar unveiled at ROF Plaza

Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen's pillar was unveiled Friday night at the Ring of Fame Plaza, as his family, Ring of Fame alumni and the 1997 Super Bowl Championship team was on hand.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Mr-Bowlens-pillar-unveiled-at-ROF-Plaza/29bbdf57-08ee-49e8-9e8e-26de1f57c6eb

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Floyd Little on Mr. Bowlen

Hall of Fame running back talks about Broncos' owner, Pat Bowlen.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Floyd_Little_on_Mr_Bowlen/2391bc2c-8983-480e-b3ef-f4f16e46167d

Broncos alumni come home

Members of the Broncos Ring of Fame and the 1997 Super Bowl Championship team were at practice on Saturday.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Broncos_alumni_come_home/55dca211-4431-4f63-b5ae-337b436274bb

'97 Broncos address this year's team

Rod Smith speaks to the Broncos after practice on Saturday and Alfred Williams breaks them down.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/97_Broncos_address_this_years_team/8c521812-f2b5-41c8-b89f-bafab759ef52

This one is great - Rod cracked up past and present players when he said to the present players - " you are 6 & 0 and you aren't even playing good".

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Ed McCaffrey
Alumni Contributor


The first time I met Pat Bowlen, I remember the stoic, contemplative look on his face. It was the look of an owner who really cared about what was going on in his organization.

He would be in the locker room, in the meeting rooms -- and would typically address the team one time in the beginning of the year -- but he’d be out at practice all the time.

You could tell he was just soaking in the mood and the attitude and the culture of that particular team, and that he really cared about what was happening.

He wasn’t a hands-on owner in terms of calling plays or interfering with the coaches, but he was a guy who really wanted to bring the right people into the organization to give the team its best chance to win a Super Bowl.

rest - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Through-My-Eyes-Broncos-alum-Ed-McCaffrey-reflects-on-Pat-Bowlens-legacy/3f9d68c0-e1ab-4e6d-915a-3871e327d126

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Tom Jackson on Mr. Bowlen

Ring of Fame linebacker Tom Jackson talks about Broncos' owner, Pat Bowlen.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Tom_Jackson_on_Mr_Bowlen/b5e1655e-e4b9-47e6-8ea3-0ad579dff0d9

ESPN's tribute to Mr. Bowlen

ESPN's Michelle Beisner sat down with Joe Ellis, John Elway and Greek for a heartfelt tribute to Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen. Video courtesy of ESPN.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/ESPNs_tribute_to_Mr_Bowlen/11a66b0f-8b85-40e2-ab3b-b04f8e093ab5

Logan on Mr. Bowlen, Packers matchup

850 KOA's Dave Logan talks about the legacy Owner Pat Bowlen has built and this Sunday's matchup with the Packers.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Logan_on_Mr_Bowlen_Packers_matchup/5bce2ab1-939f-40af-88e9-d75a6f7e66b8

[slim]

We have been spoiled.

Such a great owner...I wish he could be there to enjoy it.

[Magnificent Seven]

Win for Pat Bowlen!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Mr. Bowlen chalk art mural

Members of Denver Chalk Art put together a mural honoring Mr. Bowlen during Sunday's game against the Packers.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Mr-Bowlen-chalk-art-mural/960ed682-a371-4da4-a3fc-93ce47871fc6