Is Pat Bowlen the most important person in Denver Broncos' history?

 

Pat Bowlen is the most important person in the history of the Denver Broncos.

There’s often debate about such topics, and they are passionate; especially when it comes the Broncos.

Some in Broncos Country would undoubtedly say John Elway.

Some could make the argument for Terrell Davis. Perhaps Mike Shannahan. Even Gary Kubiak.

You can’t forget about Floyd Little. There’s also Randy Gradishar.

Cases could be made for all of them, and even some I left off the list. But none of them touch the impact Mr. Bowlen had Denver’s organization.

As the Broncos rest up on their bye week and brace for the stretch run, a week from today he gets immortalized in the Ring of Fame as the 28th member. For those who have been to Mile High in the last year, have seen the amazing tribute the team has for him on the south side of the stadium in Memorial Plaza where all the members of the Ring of Fame have their plaques. For Mr. B, there is a life-size statue surrounded by all of his accomplishments.

If you haven’t seen it, you need to.

But next Sunday is the only start when it comes to honoring Mr. Bowlen. Next year the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio better/should open it’s doors to him.

The start comes next Sunday, and it will be incredible to witness. Forget the game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Remove from your mind that both teams enter 6-0 and that the game is being played on Sunday Night Football.

Now allow yourself to think about the emotion that will be palpable in that stadium.

The owner who made it all possible will actually be at the game. It will be the first, I believe, he will attend since the announcement he has Alzheimer’s Disease. I’m fairly certain this is the first game Mr. Bowlen will attend since the AFC Championship Game over two years ago.

I just got goose bumps.

That’s on top of throughout the next seven days there will be tribute after tribute, and Ring of Fame members making appearances at the facility and at functions with most of them being in attendance for the game.

I just got goose bumps again.

There are a lot of reasons for people to get fired about this game. To look forward to this game. But none come close to the ceremony for Mr. B.

His success speaks for itself. But it was never about him. It was and is about the Denver Broncos. Under his ownership, the Broncos are one of the crown jewels of the NFL. And that will continue now that he’s stepped aside from the team he loves so much.

Ten years ago, he set up a Pat Bowlen Trust made up of non-family members to act as owner of that trust until one of his seven kids takes control of the team. Until that time, and has been the case the last year, Broncos president Joe Ellis will act in Mr. Bowlen’s place as the new CEO and have final say. Aside from the title, it’s a role Ellis has had since 2011.

Mr. B, 71, wants the Broncos to remain in his family, and they will. He wants them to continue to compete for Super Bowls, and they will. The success he created will continue now that he’s no longer there.

As it says on the Broncos’ website, “With over three decades of NFL experience exemplifying a devotion to consistent and sustained success that has seen the Broncos rise in the NFL ranks as one of the league’s top franchises, Mr. Bowlen has been a steady guide as his teams have won 61 percent of their regular-season games, earning 17 playoff trips and six Super Bowl appearances, including two Super Bowl victories.”

The website continues: “The popularity of the Broncos has risen over the past three decades, as the team has been recognized as ‘America’s Team’ by a 2014 Harris poll. The success on the field has been matched by the fans’ devotion, making opponents’ trips to Denver tough challenges. In fact, the Broncos have the NFL’s best home record (181-67) during Pat Bowlen’s tenure, the NFL’s best attendance at home games and the team has sold out every game during his ownership. The fan experience has been a priority for Mr. Bowlen, as shown by his investment in Sports Authority Field at Mile High’s construction and its upgrades.”

But his success isn’t just felt for the Broncos. Without his guidance and leadership, the NFL isn’t what it is today. His success as owner of the Broncos is enough to get him to Canton, but this solidifies it.

“As Chair of the NFL Broadcast Committee, Mr. Bowlen pushed the NFL to new heights as it became not only America’s most popular sport, but America’s most popular television program,” the website says. “And not only that, but his presence on numerous league committees helped extend the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement over the years.”

All that matters to Mr. Bowlen is winning. In his time as owner, the Broncos had more Super Bowl appearances (six) than they did losing seasons (five). But perhaps his greatest asset as an owner is his ability to admit he made a mistake and then fix it. Mr. Bowlen isn’t afraid to say, “I screwed up.”

When Josh McDaniels was hired as Broncos head coach in 2009, few thought it was the right choice. Mr. Bowlen, Ellis, Hoodie Junior’s family and Darth Hoodie himself all thought it was a great move. Aside from those people, it was a terrible decision. That was proven the next season when the Broncos had a record of 3-9 after a 10-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The next day, Mr Bowlen admitted his mistake and fired McDaniels. He knew the course of action, took it and eventually hired Elway. The rest, as they say, is history. The hardest thing to do in business and life is admit when you fail. Humans by nature are a prideful bunch.

These people call this keep-an-employee-at-all-costs mindset “loyalty.” It’s not. It’s cowardice. It’s failure of leadership. Put your ego aside, admit you screwed up and move on.

Imagine if President Abraham Lincoln was “loyal.”

“We can’t change generals of the Union Army because we don’t want to disrupt the culture of the troops.”

“Um, Mr. President, you’re getting your ass kicked left and right by the Confederate Army. You’re not competitive. You have a few fluke wins now and then, but your military is terrible. You have no leadership at the top, which trickles down to the troops.”

“I have no idea how our record got as bad as it is. I just know it’s bad. I take it personally.”

Mr. Bowlen put his pride aside for the betterment of his organization. He knows what it takes to win. And all he wants to do is win. Sure, the division titles are nice but it’s about Super Bowls for the Broncos. No one wants to win more than Mr. Bowlen.

So he hires people who are not only incredibly intelligent and good at what they do but have that same passion to win. He’s created a culture of winning at Dove Valley to the point that if Denver doesn’t win the Super Bowl every year, it’s considered a failure. That’s not coming from the fans, the players, the coaches or the front office. That comes from the owner.

If he doesn’t get to hold the Lombardi Trophy, he gives Elway and his crew what they need to make it so he can. He doesn’t question it. He doesn’t play with scared money. Mr. Bowlen isn’t afraid of failure because he knows the taste of victory is so much more powerful. And that’s all he wants to taste.

It’s rubbed off on Elway who got rid of the mistake that was John Fox. Most would have never pulled that move given the “success” Fox had. But the organization isn’t about wins in the regular season. Or division titles. Or playoff berths. It’s about Super Bowl titles.

You don’t need to fret, Broncos Country. Dick Monfort will never own the Broncos. The legacy and tradition Mr. B built in his 30 years as owner of the Broncos will continue.

As the most important person in the organization’s history, he gets the recognition he deserves next Sunday.

I just got goose bumps again.

It’s beyond time for the Broncos to win their third Super Bowl and repay the best owner in the NFL with the four words, “This one’s for Pat.”