I’m sure there is no need to tell you how important this game is Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers: No.1 defense vs. No. 2 defense, Peyton Manning vs. Aaron Rodgers, 6-0 vs. 6-0. The atmosphere is already electric, imagine how it’ll be in the stadium.

There is one more important reason why this game means so much to former and current players: Pat Bowlen.

Mr. Bowlen has been a staple of Denver football since acquiring the team in 1984 and has made the Broncos the winningest NFL franchise during his 31-year tenure. His accomplishments include: More trips to the Super Bowl (6) than losing seasons (5), 301 total wins (the fastest owner to achieve such feat) and back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

Sunday, Bowlen will inducted into the Broncos ring of fame and will join such company as: John Elway, Rod Smith, Terrell Davis, and the franchise’s all-time leader in yards, Rod Smith. Smith was at Broncos practice this week talking to current players about how important this game is to the franchise.

“He means everything to this organization,” Smith said about Bowlen. “Success comes from the top. Everything he has done in his life, he has always talked about being number one.”

Smith went on to add, “We root for you every single day, y’all are 6-0 and you aren’t even playing good.” Wide out Demaryius Thomas and most of the rest of the team thought it was hilarious.

We all know this game is important to the season, but it is much more than that. Pat Bowlen is the most successful owner in Denver sports history and a no doubt first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. A win on the night of his induction into the Ring of Fame, in front of his family, the 1997 championship team, and a fan base hungry for another title would be the cherry on top to the career of the most important man in Denver sports.

This one’s for Pat.

Must-see Video

Watch Gary Kubiak and Rod Smith talk to the team about Pat Bowlen.