Broncos owner Pat Bowlen passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 at his home in Colorado following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
His death comes less than two months before he was set to be enshrined in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2019 induction class later this summer.
Bowlen owned the Broncos for 35 seasons, in that span leading the franchise to seven Super Bowl appearances, including three titles.
Friday morning, Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a statement on the death of his longtime fellow NFL owner, on-field AFC rival and friend.
“There was no owner or person like Pat Bowlen. I loved him,” Kraft said in the written statement. “Today is a very sad day for all who knew him. When I came into the league in 1994, I worked closely with Pat on the NFL’s broadcasting committee and he offered advice and guidance to help me in every way. It was an example of the kind of man he was. He was relentless in his competitive desire to win, but he was always a gentleman, a professional and a trusted partner. Pat’s pursuit of excellence, both on the field and in the community, made the league better. He was a leader both in his success and in his kindness and humility. I will forever be grateful for his friendship and support over the years. My heartfelt condolences go out to his beloved wife Annabel, his children, the Denver Broncos and their fans. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will endure through the team he built, the community he loved and his well-deserved recognition as a Pro Football Hall of Famer.”
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