KUSA – Quick, the first thing belonging to Pat Bowlen that goes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Wrong! Not his bronzed bust. It’s the running shoes he wore during the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in 1983, when he finished 136th out of more than 1,110 competitors.
A year later, Bowlen began his successful reign as Broncos’ owner, a 35-year period that will culminate with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor during the weekend of August 1-4.
As a prelude to his induction, the Bowlen family is donating 20 of his unique artifacts to the Hall of Fame museum in Canton, Ohio.
Besides his bronzed Ironman shoes, Bowlen is donating his commemorative game balls from each of the Broncos’ three Super Bowl victories – XXXII, XXXIII and 50, and his Super Bowl XXXII leather jacket.
Bowlen and cornerback Champ Bailey will the sixth and seventh Broncos enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a ceremony Aug. 3 at Tom Benson Stadium. Other Hall of Fame Broncos were John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, Floyd Little, Shannon Sharpe and Terrell Davis.
Pat Bowlen Pro Football Hall of Fame Memorabilia
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