By Nicki Jhabvala | njhabvala@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Pat Bowlen is one step closer to entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday, the Hall’s contributors committee, a sub-group of the 46-member selection committee will meet in Canton, Ohio, to select two from a list of 10 finalists for the Class of 2017.
Bowlen is, again, among the final group for contributors. But the longtime Broncos owner faces steep competition this year in Bobby Beathard, Gil Brandt, Bucko Kilroy, Art McNally, Jerry Jones, Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue, George Young and John Wooten, .
Before 2015, contributors were a part of the modern-era nomination list that includes coaches and players. But bylaw changes two years ago attempted to address the backlog of deserving contributors. Two will be allowed for the Class of 2017 and 2019 and one will be selected for 2018. Starting in 2020, only one finalist will be selected going forward.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen discusses the release of Head Coach Mike Shanahan Tuesday, December 30, 2008.
The Associated PressNew Bronco Owners--Patrick Bowlen, of Edmonton, Canada the new majority owner of the NFL Denver Broncos is flanked by minority owners John Adams, left, of Steamboat Springs Colo., and Tim Borden, right, a Denver attorney. The three were introduced at a news conference in Denver in 1984.
Jay Dickman, Denver Post fileDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen congratulates head coach Dan Reeves after a game in 1987.
Denver Post Library photo archiveDan Reeves right and Pat Bowlen, Broncos owner, adjusts his brace he was wearing after a bicycle accident. Bowlen Showed up at Broncos and had a chat with Coach Reeves. 1989.
John Leyba, The Denver PostPat Bowlen with John Elway in 1994.
Denver Post Library photo archivePat Bowlen presents the new coach Mike Shanahan in 1995.
Denver Post Library photo archivePat Bowlen, 1996.
Denver Post fileBroncos owner Pat Bowlen during KTLK's sports talk show with Irv Brown and Joe Williams at the Grand Slam Sports Bar in 1998.
Denver Post fileBroncos owner Pat Bowlen during KTLK's sports talk show with Irv Brown and Joe Williams at the Grand Slam Sports Bar in 1998.
John Leyba, The Denver PostHead coach Mike Shanahan and team owner Pat Bowlen watch practice from the sidelines during the afternoon as temperatures hit 97 degrees during the Denver Broncos Training camp 2002 in Greeley.
Karl Gehring, The Denver PostBroncos owner Pat Bowlen showing off the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the parade. He and his family rode atop a fire truck at the beginning of the parade in 1997.
Helen H. Davis, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy to the huge throngs of fans lined up along 17th Street for the parade. The parade was organized to honor the Denver Broncos on their XXXII Super Bowl win. Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the big event. Helen H. Davis, The Denver Post
Karl Gehring, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen congratulates head coach Mike Shanahan after the Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 14-10 in 1998.
Kent Meireis, The Denver PostBroncos owner Pat Bowlen holds up the Super Bowl trophy to the crowd at Civic Center during a Rally for the World Champions in 1998.
Helen H. Davis, The Denver PostDenver Bronco owner Pat Bowlen raises the Super Bowl Vince Lombardi Trophy during a quick rally at Mile High Stadium. The players arrived back in Denver from San Diego after winning the XXXII Super Bowl. Many fans waited for over four hours to see their Denver Broncos come to the stadium in 1998.
John Leyba, The Denver PostFormer Denver Broncos QB John Elway shares a laugh with Owner Pat Bowlen and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue in pregame activities during Monday Night Football at Invesco at Mile High Stadium in 2002.
John Leyba, The Denver PostBroncos Owner Pat Bowlen shakes hands and hugs John Elway congratulating him on becoming the first Denver Broncos player to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The enshrinement of the Class of 2004 will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, on Sunday, August 8, 2004.
John Leyba, The Denver PostFormer Denver Bronco Terrell Davis hugs Broncos owner Pat Bowlen during half time after being inducted into the ring of fame on Sunday September 23rd, 2007 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.
Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen holds a press conference at Bronco's headquarters at Dove Valley in Centennial to further discuss the firing of head coach, Mike Shanahan in 2008.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen share a laugh with Head Coach Josh McDaniels after their practice at Mini Camp Monday, June 8, 2009 at Dove Valley.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen side line to watch the Broncos play the Cleveland Browns Invesco Field at Mile High Sunday September 20, 2009.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos Brian Xander, GM (L) Joe Ellis, Chief Operating Officer, and Owner Pat Bowlen stand on the sidelines before their game against the San Diego Chargers November 22, 2010 during Monday Night Football at Qualcomm Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen before watching his team take on the Detroit Lions during the Bronco's second pre-seaon game Saturday Aug. 21, 2010 at Mile High.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen sits nt he bench to watch the pre-game warmups against the Arizona Cardinals December 12, 2010 at University of Phoenix Stadium.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos team owner Pat Bowlen before the Broncos took on the San Diego Chargers Sunday January 2, 2011 at Invesco Field at Mile High.
John Leyba, The Denver PostThe Denver Broncos on Wednesday January 5, 2011 named two-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway as Executive Vice President of Football Operations and appointed Joe Ellis as President, Broncos Owner and Chief Executive Officer Pat Bowlen announced at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver PostPresident of the Denver Broncos Joe Ellis, left, and Denver Bronco owner Pat Bowlen, right, listen to John Elway as the Denver Broncos on Jan. 5, 2011 at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver PostThe Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen wears his super bowl ring on Wednesday January 5, 2011 when he named two-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway as Executive Vice President of Football Operations and appointed Joe Ellis as President, himself at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver PostJohn Elway, Pat Bowlen and John Fox pose for a photo op during the press conference announcing John Fox as 14th head coach of the Denver Broncos.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos team owner Pat Bowlen before the Broncos took on the Buffalo Bills Aug. 20, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostPat Bowlen, Peyton Manning and John Elway pose for a photo during the Denver Broncos press conference announcing the signing of Manning on March 20, 2012 at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver PostPat Bowlen watches John Elway speak during the Denver Broncos press conference announcing the signing of Manning on March 20, 2012 at Dove Valley.
Steve Peterson, Special to The Denver PostJohn and Paige Elway, left, with Pat and Annabel Bowlen. Annabel Bowlen chaired the benefit's auction committee.
Lindsay Pierce, The Denver PostDenver Public Works crew members Wayne Spoehr, left, and David Lopez hang United in Orange Way and Pat Bowlen Blvd. street signs at the intersection of Colfax Ave. and Broadway on Thursday, February 6, 2014. The City of Denver renamed the major intersection Thursday morning to honor the Broncos' 2013 season.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos Owner,and Chief Executive Office Pat Bowlen in his office August 14, 2013 at Dove Valley.
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe talks with team owner Pat Bowlen as Sharpe is honored with his "ring of fame" at half time of the Denver Broncos game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday Sept. 18, 2011Sunday Sept. 18, 2011 Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostPat Bowlen watching his team late in the 4th quarter as the Denver Broncos vs the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium November 10, 2013 San Diego, CA. (Photo By Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
John Leyba, The Denver PostDenver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen attends practice as he stands on the sidelines November 13, 2013 at Dove Valley.
Joe Amon, The Denver postPat Bowlen owner of the Denver Broncos enters the field before their game against the New York Giants at METLIFE Stadium. September 15, 2013 East Rutherford, NJ.
John Leyba, The Denver PostPat Bowlen with the conference championship trophy after the game. The Denver Broncos took on the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on January 19, 2014.
John Leyba, The Denver PostPat Bowlen the Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos walks off the field before the game. The Denver Broncos vs the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey Sunday, February 2, 2014.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostThis is the statue of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen at the Ring of Fame plaza for the Broncos outside of Mile High in Denver on Dec. 31, 2015.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
1 of 42
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen discusses the release of Head Coach Mike Shanahan Tuesday, December 30, 2008.
ExpandMonday, the Hall’s nine-member seniors committee selected former safety Kenny Easley as their finalist. He and the two contributor nominees will be presented to the full selection committee and need an 80-percent vote the day before the Super Bowl for enshrinement.
The selection committee will convene Feb. 4, 2017, the eve of Super Bowl LI, in Houston to consider the 18 finalists, which include 15 modern-era finalists (determined from a list announced in September), Easley as the senior finalist and the two contributor finalists.
//
