Legendary Broncos' owner Pat Bowlen named Hall of Fame finalist

Pat Bowlen is a big step closer to being enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

The Broncos’ longtime owner was chosen as a 2019 Hall of Fame finalist by the Contributors Committee. Of the six contributor finalists since 2015, only Paul Tagliabue wasn’t enshrined in the Hall. Gil Brandt, the Cowboy’s Vice President of Player Personel from 1960-88, was also nominated by the committee.

The entire Hall of Fame voting committee will decide whether Bowlen will be enshrined during Super Bowl week. He needs an 80 percent approval to be enshrined during the ceremony next summer.

Bowlen may not be the only Bronco enshrined in Canton next summer. Cornerback Champ Bailey is eligible for the first time in 2019 and is a near-lock to be selected. John Lynch and Steve Atwater are also potential Hall of Fame candidates, though both face longer odds than Bailey.

Bowlen bought the Broncos in 1984 and managed the team until 2014 when he stepped down as CEO because of Alzheimer’s. Since 1984, the Broncos have a .603 regular season winning percentage and have been to more Super Bowls (seven) than they’ve had losing seasons (six). The Broncos have never had back-to-back losing seasons under Bowlen’s control.