Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is battling Alzheimer’s disease the family has announced and as such, Bowlen has resigned control of the team.
According to the Denver Post, team president Joe Ellis will take control of the team in Bowlen’s stead.
“As many in the Denver community and around the National Football League have speculated, my husband, Pat, has very bravely and quietly battled Alzheimer’s disease for the last few years,” Annabel Bowlen said in a statement released to the Denver Post. “He has elected to keep his condition private because he has strongly believed, and often said, ‘It’s not about me.’
“Pat has always wanted the focus to be solely on the Denver Broncos and the great fans who have supported this team with such passion during his 30 years as owner. My family is deeply saddened that Pat’s health no longer allows him to oversee the Broncos, which has led to this public acknowledgment of such a personal health condition.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. There is currently no cure and the degenerative disorder eventually leads to death.
The Bowlen family has owned the team since 1984 and saved the organization from likely bankruptcy and leading the Broncos to two Super Bowl victories. The team is not expected to be put up for sale and will remain an asset of the Bowlen family.
We here at Arrowhead Addict send our thoughts out the the Bowlen family and to Broncos fans everywhere.