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Saturday 15 June 2019
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen dies at 75 before Hall enshrinement

By ARNIE STAPLETON fessional franchises in the
AP Pro Football Writer four major North American
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) sports, only the San Antonio
— On a cool night in Santa Spurs, New England Patri-
Clara, California, on Feb. 7, ots and Los Angeles Lakers
2016, John Elway thrust the were better, according to
Lombardi Trophy into the the Broncos.
air and hollered, “This one’s Bowlen relished working
for Pat!” behind the scenes and
It came 18 years after Den- shied away from the spot-
ver Broncos owner Pat light. In the words of former
Bowlen had declared, “This coach Mike Shanahan,
one’s for John!” following “Pat just wanted to be one
the franchise’s first Super of the guys.”
Bowl championship, a 31- “That’s why I think he was
24 win over Green Bay in so beloved by so many
San Diego after Elway he- people, including myself,”
licoptered his way into NFL Shanahan said. “And you
immortality in his fourth shot also knew that he would
at a title. give anything to make your
Elway called it the great- football team better or at
est moment of his Hall of least get a chance at the
Fame career, and he was In this Jan. 5, 2011, photo, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen talks about Hall of Fame quarterback John Super Bowl. At that time
determined to return the Elway who he named Executive V.P. of football operations during a news conference at the team’s you would say every ounce
favor after rejoining his be- headquarters in Englewood, Colo. that he had — I should say
loved Broncos as Bowlen’s Associated Press every penny he had — he
general manager and vice into NFL champions and many Super Bowl appear- Bowlen’s watch. wanted to go into giving
president of football opera- helped the league usher ances (seven) as losing Bowlen’s wife, Annabel, the football team a Super
tions in 2011. in billion-dollar television seasons, and Denver is 354- who recently announced Bowl. That was his No. 1 pri-
He finally got the chance deals, died late Thursday, 240-1 since he bought the that she, too, has Alzheim- ority. That was it. It was not
when the Broncos beat the just under two months be- club in 1984. er’s, and their children trying to buy different com-
Carolina Panthers 24-10 in fore his enshrinement in the Under his stewardship, the were on hand to accept panies and trying to make
Super Bowl 50, 18 months Pro Football Hall of Fame. Broncos won Super Bowls in the Lombardi Trophy on his more money. His goal was
after Alzheimer’s forced He was 75. 1998, ‘99 and 2016. behalf in Santa Clara. winning a Super Bowl.”
Bowlen to step down from In a statement posted Elway delivered the “His soul will live on through Bowlen served as a sound-
his daily duties running the on the Broncos’ website, third Lombardi Trophy to the Broncos, the city of ing board for NFL com-
team. Bowlen’s family said he Bowlen’s home back in Denver and all of our fans,” missioners Pete Rozelle,
“I’m just glad I had the op- died peacefully at home Denver. And in the Mile High Bowlen’s family said in its Paul Tagliabue and Roger
portunity,” Elway told The surrounded by loved ones. City, more than a million statement Thursday night. Goodell. He was crucial
Associated Press in the They did not specify a fans packed downtown for “Heaven got a little bit to the league’s growth as
locker room that night. “I cause of death. Bowlen a victory parade 17 years more orange and blue to- a member of 15 NFL com-
didn’t want to think about it had Alzheimer’s for several after Elway capped his re- night.” mittees, including co-chair-
too much because I didn’t years. markable playing career During 35 seasons with him ing the NFL Management
want to jinx anything. But Bowlen was the first owner by leading the Broncos to as owner, Bowlen’s teams Council and working on
I was waiting for the day in NFL history to oversee a back-to-back titles. compiled a .596 winning network TV contracts such
that I was able to do that.” team that won 300 games Super Bowl 50 was the Bron- percentage — tied for as the league’s ground-
Bowlen, who transformed — including playoffs — in cos’ eighth trip to the big second-best in the NFL dur- breaking $18 billion deal in
the team from also-rans three decades. He had as game, the seventh under ing that span. Among pro- 1998.q

Capitals trade Niskanen to Flyers for Gudas, clear cap space

By STEPHEN WHYNO ers in need of new con- been suspended four times
AP Hockey Writer tracts. “We feel this move — three games for an illegal
The Flyers acquired Matt Ni- provides us with financial check to the head in 2015,
skanen from the Capitals for flexibility as we look for ad- six games for interference
Radko Gudas on Friday in a ditional ways to strengthen in 2016, 10 games for slash-
one-for-one swap of defen- our team,” Capitals gener- ing in 2017 and two games
semen that upgrades Phila- al manager Brian MacLel- for high-sticking in 2019.
delphia’s blue line offense lan said. “In addition, we Niskanen was a key piece
and gives Washington are pleased to welcome of the Capitals’ 2018 Stan-
much needed salary-cap Radko to our organization. ley Cup run. He struggled
space. Niskanen provides Radko is a good defensive for about half of this past
the Flyers with an offensive- defenseman that plays season and finished with 25
minded, right-handed shot a competitive, physical points on eight goals and
who can also help on the game.” Gudas, 29, is a big, 17 assists. That was when I
power play. Philadelphia bruising defenseman who was most competitive and
At left is a 2019 file photo showing Philadelphia Flyers NHL is retaining 30% of Gudas’ could help the Capitals re- best execution and all that
hockey player Radko Gudas. At right is a 2018 file photo showing $3.35 million cap hit, which place some of the muscle good stuff. I was my best
Washington Capitals’ Matt Niskanen. The Philadelphia Flyers means Washington saves they’d lose if 38-year-old later in the year, closer to
have acquired defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Washington
Capitals for defenseman Radko Gudas. $3.405 million going into an Brooks Orpik retires or signs playoffs and in the play-
Associated Press offseason with several play- elsewhere. Gudas has offs.” q