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5 incredible memories from the Pat Bowlen era

By Sayre Bedinger

30 Dec 1990: Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen looks on during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Broncos won the game, 22-13. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport
30 Dec 1990: Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen looks on during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Broncos won the game, 22-13. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport /
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Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Broncos sign QB Peyton Manning

“Starting with Mr. Bowlen, I can tell this organization is committed to winning.”

Those words from Peyton Manning set the tone for his introductory press conference with the Denver Broncos.

When the Broncos experienced the lowest of the lows under head coach Josh McDaniels, Bowlen hit the reset button on the organization and hired John Elway to run the show from the front office.

After all, Bowlen entrusted Elway with the team for the majority of his playing career, why not give him a shot as an executive?

Bowlen hired Elway, helped resolve the NFL’s most recent labor dispute, and the Broncos made the playoffs for the first time since the Mike Shanahan era. After the 2011 season, Peyton Manning was released by the Indianapolis Colts, and after being recruited by a handful of NFL teams, he chose the Broncos.

This move will go down as one of the greatest free agent signings any professional sports franchise could make.

Elway and Bowlen were huge reasons for Manning signing with the Denver Broncos, a moment fans will certainly not soon forget.

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