Pat Bowlen: Strokes of Genius

I have had the honor of knowing Pat Bowlen for most of my time in Denver. He always liked the cartoons I did about the Broncos and requested several originals throughout the years. I think he has always been especially fond of the way I drew Dan Reeves and how I could get under Reeves’ skin with one simple drawing. Rumor has it that Reeves would often go into Pat’s office with cartoon in hand complaining about how irresponsible and “off the mark” it was. Only after Dan had left Pat’s office did Bowlen laugh knowing the cartoon was truer than Reeves ever imagined.

Pat Bowlen is one of the all-time NFL’s greatest owners. Why? Unlike so many owners whose egos are the size of the Empire State Building (and in Jerry Jones case, far bigger) Bowlen has always been about winning. Who gets the credit isn’t important to him. He simply wants to be the best. He has endeared himself to players, Broncos office staff members and fans alike because he cares about the big picture. People. Integrity. Honor. Achievement. Victory. He understands something few owners do. The team doesn’t belong to him. It belongs to the community. Which is unfortunately something a few other owners in close proximity to the city of Denver fail to grasp. Pat has built the Broncos into a franchise the city of Denver can be proud of. Which is something places like Dallas and Oakland can’t do.

This Season is for Pat.

A huge thanks to KUSA TV 9News for the chance to pen this one. A fitting tribute for a Master and His Masterpiece.