Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt releases statement on Pat Bowlen

Clark Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, released a statement expressing his grief and sympathy after hearing of Pat Bowlen’s death.

People associated with the National Football League are grieving the loss of longtime Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen on Thursday after he passed away due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Bowlen was born on February 18, 1944 into a family that struck it rich in the oil industry. Bowlen would eventually become an attorney with investments of his own, but he came to purchase the Denver Broncos in 1984 together with money from his entire family. Bowlen would serve as CEO for the franchise for the next 30 years, until 2014, when his battle with Alzheimer’s became too much to continue on the job.

Bowlen, who lived to be 75-years-old, has been honored from every corner of the NFL, including a statement from Commissioner Roger Goodell that read, in part, “Pat personified all that’s right about the NFL and is extremely deserving of this summer’s recognition as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt was among the owners who issued a similar statement on Friday. It’s no surprise given the storied rivalry and history between the AFC West franchises. Hunt’s statement, as issued by the team:

"“My family and I are saddened by the loss of Pat Bowlen, and our hearts are with the Bowlen family and the entire Denver Broncos organization during this difficult time. A tremendous competitor, Pat built a culture of success in Denver, and his leadership turned the Broncos into one of the model franchises in the National Football League. As Chairman of the Broadcast Committee, Pat helped expand the audience for America’s Game and prepare our league for a changing media landscape. Beyond the strong passion he had for his football team, he cared deeply about his community, and he left an indelible mark on his beloved city of Denver. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Annabel, his children and the entire Broncos family.”"

Under Bowlen’s leadership, the Broncos won three Super Bowls including their most recent win of Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. Bowlen will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio this August, and he was already inducted into the Broncos Hall of Fame back in 2015.