The Broncos will induct team Owner Pat Bowlen as the "28th member of the team's Ring of Fame," with a ceremony set for Nov. 1 "at halftime of the Broncos' Sunday Night Football game against the Packers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High," according to Nicki Jhabvala of the DENVER POST. Bowlen, who is entering his 32nd year with the Broncos, is the "only owner in NFL history to record 300 victories during his first 30 seasons." The 71-year-old Bowlen last year acknowledged that he is dealing with Alzheimer's disease. Bowlen "served on nine league committees during his ownership, helping to negotiate the NFL's record television contracts and collective bargaining agreements with players." The Broncos Ring of Fame, which is on display at Sports Authority Field, was "created by Bowlen to honor former players and administrators" (DENVER POST, 5/14). Broncos President & COO Joe Ellis said, "I went over to his house earlier ... met with him briefly and I informed him, 'You know, you started the Ring of Fame in 1984 and today you were elected into the Ring of Fame.' And he paused and he had a little wry smile come over his face, and he said, 'Why the hell would [you] guys do that?'" Ellis added the next stop for Bowlen "should be the Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame." Ellis: "I'm hopeful that day comes sooner rather than later ... he is deserving of that honor" (ESPN.com, 5/13).
TAMPA TWO: In Tampa, Rick Stroud notes former NFLers Doug Williams and Mike Alstott will be "part of the first two-man class" in the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor. Alstott "will be honored Oct. 4" during a home game against the Panthers, while Williams "will be inducted on Dec. 6" when the Bucs host the Falcons (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/14).
