Pat Bowlen To Be Inducted Into Ring Of Fame He Created
DENVER (CBS4)- In 1984, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen created the Ring of Fame to honor the best Broncos players, coaches and other administrators in the organization. On Friday, he was inducted into that same honor.
Bowlen was honored with the 28th pillar on the Ring of Fame Plaza which was unveiled outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The plaza was built as a public way for the fans to celebrate the achievements of the Ring of Famers.
"Like the other Ring of Famers, there's space on the pillar that lists Mr. B's accomplishments. And just like the other Ring of Famers, there's nowhere near enough space to list everything Pat Bowlen has accomplished," said Broncos Historian Jim Saccomano. "Pat Bowlen is the first owner in pro football history to reach 300 wins in 30 years."
Bowlen was not able to attend the weekend ceremonies as he continues to battle Alzheimer's disease but his wife, Annabelle, was in attendance along with many members of the 1997 Super Bowl team.
"So to be able to get this team back on top is what we're all working for and I think that's how Pat was built, the money was secondary and he was going to give everything he could to give us a chance to put the best football on the field and so to be able to do that I think he'd be more than thrilled," said Executive V.P. Football Operations John Elway.
Among all NFL owners, Bowlen's six Super Bowl appearances, including two world championships, rank second in NFL history. During his ownership, the Broncos have won more than 60 percent of their games, the best win percentage in the NFL and third best among the more than 150 pro sports teams in America.
