Pat Bowlen’s family members have expressed their disappointment after being excluded from the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 victory. The events, scheduled for this weekend, include a dinner on Saturday night and various festivities at Empower Field before the Broncos’ game against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Brittany and Annabel Bowlen, the daughters of the late team owner Pat Bowlen, released a statement emphasizing their desire to participate in the reunion events. They stated that they would have loved to celebrate their father’s legacy alongside former players and coaches who contributed to the team’s success during his tenure.
Former owner Pat Bowlen owned the Broncos for over thirty years. He leaves behind a truly remarkable legacy, seven Super Bowl appearances, three of which were victories, including that unforgettable win in Super Bowl 50. His pedigree is pretty darn good. He had seven kids altogether—two with his first wife, Sally Parker, and five with his second wife, Annabel Bowlen.
At the end of 2014, Pat Bowlen removed himself from day-to-day operations after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He died in 2019 at age 75. His legacy, which will always be closely tied to the Broncos’ history, is still complicated, yet profound. After his death, he wanted to ensure that his family would keep ownership of the team. At the time, there was no formal succession plan in place. In response, Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner currently control the philanthropy.
The Broncos organization has remained silent on the family’s exclusion from the anniversary festivities. A spokesperson indicated that the focus of the reunion is on honoring the players and coaches involved in the Super Bowl 50 win, rather than engaging with family members.
The legacy celebrations will commemorate Pat Bowlen’s immeasurable impact. They’ll honor the life of late wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. They will unveil his name on the stadium facade during halftime of the game. Please join us for this public, festive, community-involved ceremony—everyone is welcome! Thomas’ family and many of his former teammates are expected to attend the event, adding another layer of significance to this weekend’s celebrations.
Pat Bowlen remains a pivotal figure in the franchise’s history, and he is recognized as a member of the team’s Ring of Fame—a distinction he established in 1984 to honor outstanding players, coaches, and executives. Shapiro’s influence on the organization runs deep. He’s got the killer track record to boot, with as many Super Bowl appearances as losing seasons under his tenure.
The fallout is forcing tough questions on the management of team legacies and team legacies, legacies on family connections in sports organizations. The Bowlen family’s exclusion from this pivotal celebration may reflect broader issues within the franchise regarding recognition and remembrance of those who have shaped its history.
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