Broncos owner Pat Bowlen snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame once again

In early August, Terrell Davis became the fifth Denver Bronco enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Pat Bowlen was earmarked as number six, but his wait will continue until at least 2019.

Friday morning, the longtime Broncos owner was snubbed by the seven-member contributor committee in favor of Bobby Beathard, a longtime general manager in the NFL.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame voting committee will meet the night before Super Bowl 52 to select the 2018 Hall of Fame class. Beathard will be enshrined as a contributor, if 39 of the 48 members vote for him.

In 33 years under Bowlen’s ownership, the Broncos have more Super Bowl appearances than losing seasons, and four different head coaches led the Broncos to Super Bowl appearances. Since he took over, the Broncos have the league’s best winning percentage and sit only behind the San Antonio Spurs in all four major American sports.

Bowlen was also a significant contributor to nine NFL committees, most notably leading other owners to an agreement with Fox television network to broadcast games. He is also considered the father of Sunday Night Football.

Beathard spent 38 years as an NFL GM, with the Chiefs, Dolphins, Redskins and Chargers. His teams played in seven Super Bowls, winning four.