Pat Bowlen facts for kids
Bowlen in 2010
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| Personal information | |
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| Born: | February 18, 1944 Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died: | June 13, 2019 (aged 75) Englewood, Colorado, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Campion Jesuit (Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin) |
| College: | Oklahoma |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Patrick "Pat" Dennis Bowlen (February 18, 1944 – June 13, 2019) was a Canadian-American businessman and sports team owner. He was best known as the main owner of the Denver Broncos, a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). Under his leadership, the Broncos won three Super Bowl championships.
Bowlen was a very successful owner. He was honored for his contributions to football by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Besides the Broncos, he also owned other sports teams in the Denver, Colorado area. He served as the Broncos' CEO from 1984 until 2014, when he stepped down due to health reasons.
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Early Life and Education
Pat Bowlen was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. His father, Paul Dennis Bowlen, became a millionaire in the Canadian oil business. Pat spent his childhood in Alberta, Canada. He attended Campion High School, a Catholic boarding school in Wisconsin.
He later went to the University of Oklahoma. There, he earned degrees in business in 1965 and law in 1968. While at Oklahoma, he played for the Oklahoma Sooners freshman football team as a wide receiver. He also played for the Edmonton Huskies junior football team in Canada. With the Huskies, he helped win three Canadian Junior Football League championships between 1962 and 1964.
After college, Bowlen became a successful lawyer in Edmonton, Alberta. He also worked for his father's company and developed real estate. He even had big investments in the mining industry. His construction company, Batoni-Bowlen Enterprises, built the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. This arena became the home for the Edmonton Oilers hockey team for many years.
Denver Broncos Ownership
Pat Bowlen bought most of the Denver Broncos team in March 1984. He purchased it from Edgar Kaiser Jr. for about $70 million. At the time, this made the Broncos the most expensive team ever bought in the NFL.
Under Bowlen's ownership, the Broncos became one of the most successful teams in the NFL. They had a very high winning percentage. By 2015, the Broncos had the best winning record of any NFL team since 1984.
In 2008, Bowlen made a big decision by firing longtime Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. He then hired Josh McDaniels as the new head coach. Later, McDaniels was also fired after a losing streak. In 2011, Bowlen and the Broncos hired John Fox as the new head coach. John Elway, a famous former Broncos quarterback, played a big role in this hiring.
Around 2009, people started noticing that Bowlen was stepping back from the team's daily operations. His memory was not as sharp as it used to be. By 2010, he no longer made major decisions for the Broncos. John Elway and Joe Ellis took over control. In July 2014, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, Bowlen officially gave control of the team to Joe Ellis.
On November 1, 2015, Pat Bowlen was honored by being inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame. This means a bronze plaque with his name is displayed at Empower Field at Mile High, the Broncos' stadium.
Colorado Crush Ownership
Besides the Broncos, Pat Bowlen also owned a part of the Colorado Crush. This team was in the Arena Football League. He shared ownership with sports mogul Stan Kroenke and former Broncos quarterback John Elway. The Crush started playing in 2003. After a tough first season, they became a strong team. The Colorado Crush won the Arena Football League Championship in 2005.
Denver Outlaws Ownership
In 2006, the Major League Lacrosse league added a new team called the Denver Outlaws. Pat Bowlen also owned this team. The Denver Outlaws have been incredibly successful. They have one of the best winning records of any team Bowlen owned. They made it to the playoffs almost every year and played in the championship game eight times. The Outlaws won the championship, called the Steinfeld Cup, in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Giving Back to the Community
Pat Bowlen was also known for his generosity. He was a member of the University of Denver Board of Trustees. He helped fund the Pat Bowlen Athletic Training Center on the university's campus. He also gave a lot of money to local Boys & Girls Club chapters in Denver. These clubs help provide a safe and positive place for young people.
Awards and Honors
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2019)
- Three-time Super Bowl champion (as owner of the Denver Broncos)
- ArenaBowl XIX champion (as part owner of the Colorado Crush)
- Three-time Steinfeld Cup champion (as owner of the Denver Outlaws)
- Broncos Ring of Fame (2015)
- Colorado Business Hall of Fame (2015)
Death
Pat Bowlen passed away on June 13, 2019, from a pulmonary embolism, which is a serious health issue. Before his death, he had set up a plan for his team. Joe Ellis, a trusted executive, led a group that managed Bowlen's estate. Pat Bowlen wanted his seven children to inherit the Broncos team.
Images for kids
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Pat Bowlen in 2010
