Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has stepped down from the team after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The Denver Post first reported the 70-year-old Bowlen would step down and team president Joe Ellis will take on the day to day operations of the Broncos. In a statement to The Denver Post, Bowlen addressed the situation and his despair after stepping down.
"It's a really, really sad day," Ellis said "It's sad for his family, his wife and his seven children. It's sad for everyone in the organization. And it's sad for all the Bronco fans who know what Pat Bowlen meant to them as an owner. It's a day nobody wanted to see happen.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement through the Denver Post as well and declared it was a sad day for the NFL.
"Pat Bowlen's leadership has been critical to the success of the Broncos and the entire NFL. From building a championship team that is a pillar of the community to his important work for the league on television and labor matters, Pat's love of the game drove him and we have all benefited from his passion and wisdom. But the time has come for Pat to focus on his health and we fully support him. Joe Ellis has been a trusted executive for Pat for many years after working with us at the league office. Joe's deep experience ensures that the Broncos will continue to have strong leadership.”
Under Bowlen’s ownership, the Broncos have been one of the NFL’s premier franchises. In his time as owner, the Broncos won six AFC championships and back-to-back Super Bowls.
Bowlen acknowledged he was suffering from short-term memory loss in 2009 and today is the first time he has publicly acknowledged it developed into Alzheimer's disease.
[ESPN]
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