NFL commissioner Goodell and team owners salute late Pat Bowlen, Ellis
Goodell said Bowlen made ‘extraordinary contributions’ to the NFL
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Following the NFL’s special league meeting to approve the transition of Broncos ownership Tuesday, the late Pat Bowlen was universally saluted by Commissioner Roger Goodell and team owners.
Bowlen and his siblings started their Broncos tenure in 1984, a run that included six Super Bowl appearances and three championships.
During the owners’ meeting, Goodell said Bowlen was recognized for his team’s on-field achievements and his offfield impact.
“It was emotional because Pat Bowlen was such a good friend and meant so much to the league,” Indianapolis
Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “But I know now he would be pleased and relieved because I think we have a great family taking over the team and it’s a great day for the league.”
The group led by Rob Walton, Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner paid $4.65 billion for the Broncos, a record for a professional sports franchise. In turn, that will increase the valuations for the other 31 teams.
“I thought the memories of Pat and his contributions to the league, which were substantive, were articulated,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “I know I personally enjoyed all those years working with him.”
Said Kansas City
Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt: “Pat and his family have guided the Broncos for 38 years so a lot of people in the room had worked very closely with him. He was a model owner, very successful on and off the field and it’s always sad when somebody who’s been such an important part of the league leaves and that’s certainly true with the Bowlen family.”
Goodell said Bowlen made “extraordinary contributions to the league. He’s not just a Hall of Famer and a friend who cared deeply about the Broncos and the Denver community. We’re going to miss him.”
Bowlen died in June 2019 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. When his health forced him to step away from his dayto-day Broncos duties in July 2014, he tasked Joe Ellis to lead the organization.
Ellis stepped down as president/CEO shortly after the Walton Penner group was approved as owners this summer.
“It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to be a part of the Denver Broncos for 27 seasons,” Ellis said in a statement. “I am forever thankful to our dedicated staff, the players and coaches for making this franchise what it has become today — one of the best organizations in all of sports.”
Ellis will remain involved with the Broncos this season as an advisor.
“There are no words to express the gratitude I have toward Pat Bowlen for his trust, friendship and the responsibility to serve the Broncos and this community for nearly three decades,” Ellis said. “Pat’s legacy of winning, doing things the right way and giving back is unmatched.”
Goodell said Ellis and fellow trustees Rich Slivka and Mary Kelly, who also attended the special meeting, did “incredible work,” on behalf of the Broncos.
“The leadership they’ve shown over the last several years, many times under difficult circumstances, has really been remarkable and something we appreciated as a league and I know the Denver community does as well,” Goodell said. “I commented (during the meeting) and many others did about the cooperation and smoothness of this (sale) process, which I think is a credit to all of them and of course to Joe and the trustees.”