Fansided
Fansided

2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement: Meet the Inductees

By A.J. Fagerlin

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 2: Fans take a photo outside the Hall of Fame prior to the NFL Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 2: Fans take a photo outside the Hall of Fame prior to the NFL Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 9
Next
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 09: Pat Bowlen, Majority Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos watches the team during warm up prior to facing the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 9, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 29-24. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 09: Pat Bowlen, Majority Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos watches the team during warm up prior to facing the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 9, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 29-24. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Pat Bowlen, Owner, Denver Broncos

The late Denver Broncos owner, Pat Bowlen, passed away just months before he was due to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bowlen was instrumental in forming the Broncos franchise into the notable and successful organization that they have become.

Denver had appeared in one Super Bowl and only four playoffs in the 24 seasons of the franchise’s history before Bowlen took over as owner in 1984. In the 35 years that Bowlen was the owner, the Broncos made the playoffs 18 times and won their division 13 times.

With Bowlen at the helm, Denver made seven Super Bowls, winning three titles. The Broncos regular-season winning percentage over that time period was .603. Since Bowlen took over as owner, the Broncos have the second most total wins in the league, and they are the only team to secure 90 wins in past three separate decades.

Bowlen and John Elway always seemed to have a great relationship. After winning Super Bowl XXII, Bowlen exclaimed “This one’s for John!” After the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 with Elway running the team as general manager, Elway returned the sentiment saying, “This one’s for Pat” with Bowlen battling Alzheimer’s.

Bowlen was regarded as a very competitive, but unselfish owner who wanted to win as bad as anyone. He was a true player’s owner who garnered the respect of everyone that he worked with.

Longtime Broncos trainer, Steve “Greek” Antonopulos will present Bowlen for his enshrinement on Saturday.

Home/NFL News