An Open Letter From Pat Bowlen To Denver Broncos Fans

by John Bena on Mar 14, 2011 8:56 PM MDT in Denver Broncos in the News

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen arrives for labor talks at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service building March 11, 2011 in Washington, DC. Representatives from the National Football League (NFL) and National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA) continue to negotiate a labor dispute as a deadline looms at the end of a 7 day extension of talks. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)

If you are a Denver Broncos fan you likely received an e-mail today from the Broncos with a letter from owner Pat Bowlen. If not, no worries, I have the letter below. It once again reiterates what Joe Ellis said to me on Saturday - there is sorrow and disappointment that a deal did not get done, but hope and confidence that the two sides will get back together and hammer out an agreement.

Here is the letter:

Dear Broncos Fan:

You have every right to be disappointed and frustrated with the lack of a Collective Bargaining Agreement that would ensure the health of the National Football League for the 2011 season and beyond. As owner of the Denver Broncos and co-chair of the NFL Management Council Executive Committee, I want to say that I share your level of frustration.

I am sorry the negotiating efforts have yet to yield a new deal. Although we had expected to reach an agreement by this point, I assure you that we are committed to this process. We have a shared responsibility to resolve this matter as soon as possible in a way that benefits teams, players, and most importantly, the fans. The fastest way to a fair agreement for everyone is for both the clubs and union to continue negotiation through mediation, not litigation, and we are eager to return to the bargaining table.

We will come to an agreement, and when a new deal is reached, the Denver Broncos will be ready to play. John Elway, John Fox and Brian Xanders, along with the rest of our coaching and personnel staffs, continue to work hard in advance of the NFL Draft and the season. They are committed to building a championship team that will make you proud. We are making progress every day, and I am excited with the direction of our team.

Along with everyone in this organization, I care greatly about our players and am hopeful that the union resumes negotiations as soon as possible. It is unfortunate that this matter has taken the focus away from the game that we love. However, I am confident that this process will result in a long-term agreement that ensures the growth of the game well into the future.

I sincerely appreciate all of the support, patience and trust you have shown in the Denver Broncos. We will keep you updated and communicate regularly while maintaining an unwavering commitment to a resolution.

Yours truly,

Pat Bowlen

Owner, Denver Broncos Football Club

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Comments

shit.

I’m watching basketball.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. DA

by Whidbey Bronco on Mar 14, 2011 9:02 PM MDT reply actions

yep. baseball here.

i mean, at least they’ll be playing. for now. eh, maybe i just need to rethink this whole sports thing…

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on Mar 14, 2011 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Sorry, watching my beloved O's

just makes me wish the NFL offseason wasn’t so long. Oops

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Mar 14, 2011 11:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Go Nugs

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"Leadership is like porn, you know it when you see it. In this case, Tebow is a pornstar."
-BroncoPH

by Calikula on Mar 14, 2011 9:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Crap!

I’m watching Jake “the Snake” and the National Handball League!!!!

"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."

"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.

by PaleHorse78 on Mar 14, 2011 9:55 PM MDT up reply actions

lol

Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.

Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!

by broncosmontana on Mar 14, 2011 9:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Now that's a league I can get into

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 15, 2011 12:17 AM MDT up reply actions

All I care about football....

and the NFLPA is ruining my life.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The artist formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Mar 14, 2011 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions

have you ever had bacon?

there’s still a lot of bacon around. and cheddar cheese. so not everything’s a loss.

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on Mar 14, 2011 11:33 PM MDT up reply actions

Here Tim,

Like oxmouth said, bacon is actually pretty great. Try the bacon explosion, I did and it may just change your life:

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 15, 2011 12:20 AM MDT up reply actions

By ending it prematurely...

lol

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"Leadership is like porn, you know it when you see it. In this case, Tebow is a pornstar."
-BroncoPH

by Calikula on Mar 15, 2011 9:42 AM MDT up reply actions

well played

Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.

Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!

by broncosmontana on Mar 15, 2011 11:47 AM MDT up reply actions

But even if it is shorter

It will be more delicious.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 15, 2011 1:50 PM MDT up reply actions

Why does this picture make me want to become a vegetarian?

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The artist formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Mar 16, 2011 8:29 AM MDT up reply actions

give em hell Mr B.

luckily im a bronco and a blazer fan

by chikndnnr on Mar 14, 2011 9:17 PM MDT reply actions

I have alot of respect for Pat Bowlen! His a good owner.

by tiderfootball09 on Mar 14, 2011 10:01 PM MDT reply actions

Dear Mr. B

Thanks so much for your heartfelt letter. Thanks for bringing back John and bringing in Foxy. Thanks for getting Joe in touch with John here at MHR. Gestures like that mean a lot in moments like this, when everything is in question. When the Broncos take the field again, I want you to know that will be there in all sincerity, rooting for the team I love. Maybe not in person, as I’ve never been lucky enough to see a game in person, but I’ll be cheering as loudly as anyone in front of the TV at Buffalo Wild Wings.

That’s why it’s hard for me to say this but… (oh man, don’t cry) … For now, I think it would be best if we see other people.

Don’t get me wrong. I still care about you. I want you to be happy and successful. You should go out and spend some time with your labor committee. These past few weeks have just been a little confusing to me, leaving me feeling a little emotional and vulnerable. I think I just need a little space for awhile. I’ve met someone — a sweet little team from Calgary that has a 5000 yd passer, a 1200 yd rusher, and 3 1000 yd receivers. And, well, I just need to see where this goes.

Please don’t take this the wrong way. You know I’ll always care about you and respect the man you are. Time is funny — in five, six months… who knows? But I think it would be best for us to just take a break for awhile. I hope you understand.

Be happy,

Broncosmontana

PS: I know it will be hard, but please, for the good of us both, please ask Joe Ellis not to write me for awhile. It just makes this more painful.

Bringing you hopeful optimism and irreverent naivité, 24/7.

Once a diehard NFL fan, now a diehard CFL fan. GO STAMPS!

by broncosmontana on Mar 14, 2011 10:12 PM MDT reply actions 3 recs

That's great broncosmontana

We live in an age when instant gratification isn't fast enough

by Brian Shrout on Mar 14, 2011 11:16 PM MDT up reply actions

well done, well done indeed broncosmontana!

by dagdajones on Mar 14, 2011 11:18 PM MDT up reply actions

It is unfortunate that this matter has taken the focus away from the game that we love.

You are mistaken, Bowlen. Unions don’t love the hand that feeds, they love only themselves. And the fat sow is hungrier than ever and it is time to cut the hand off and eat it.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The artist formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Mar 14, 2011 10:17 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs

I wouldn't say ALL unions are like that...

but this one certainly is.

27--29--11 May all your spirits rest in peace.

by Joe Medina on Mar 14, 2011 10:45 PM MDT up reply actions

A bit biased there Tim

I’m pro-owner in this, but I feel, like our QB situation, nothing that is said from here on out, even the upcoming Rooney porn scandal, will change your opinion.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Mar 15, 2011 12:21 AM MDT up reply actions

I have to agree with Tim

Unions are bloodsuckers. I’ve been a union member and really for me it was a necessary evil I had to put up with so I could have that particular job. I found myself wondering the other day what would happen if the players just said F off to the union. Let’s all make our own best deal. I suppose that would be impossible but I’d laugh if it happened. At any rate I appreciate the letter from Pat Bowlen.

We conquered this territory with our bodies and souls, then we watered it with our tears.
Go Denver!

by SSinSD on Mar 14, 2011 10:56 PM MDT reply actions

Unions suck rocks

especially when they screw around with our favorite game. The way I see it: if owners remain willing to negotiate, declare an impasse and bring in replacements. Gene Hackman is a better coach than Chan Gailey any day of the week!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Mar 14, 2011 11:05 PM MDT reply actions

Good letter from Bowlen but it fails to address that it was the owners that opted out of the CBA two years early and locked out the players.

The owners caused this lockout so they can pound sand all day long.

Kyle Orton is currently one of the ten most talented Denver Broncos. And that is precisely the problem and why he shouldn’t start in 2011. We are rebuilding from the very bottom so that = Tebow.

by McGeorge on Mar 15, 2011 8:25 AM MDT reply actions 2 recs

A Rec for that.

They also negotiated a lock-out contract with the networks that the Federal Courts ruled " in bad faith". They also are demanding concessions with no financial data to show that there is any need for concessions.

This whole idea that the union ( meaning our players) want to give up their jobs for no reason doesn’t make any sense to me. I suspect there are very good reasons for risking a high paying job.

IT IS TIME TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO DRAFT A FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK.
No more old guys. No more excuses. No more passing up our own great drafted quarterback.

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2011 9:44 AM MDT up reply actions

That's probably why

the injunction will go through. To the Broncos’ credit, they have said they’re willing to open their books

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Mar 15, 2011 12:27 PM MDT up reply actions

So why hasn't he opened them?

Who is stopping any owner from proving to the Union that the owners have to have an additional 1 Billion to survive. Actions speak louder than words. I certainly will respect any owner that steps up and tries to resolve this issue.

IT IS TIME TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO DRAFT A FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK.
No more old guys. No more excuses. No more passing up our own great drafted quarterback.

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2011 9:32 PM MDT up reply actions

This letter shows that Pat Bowlen still has class.

I think what he said was the remarkably free of malice toward the players. This letter apologises for the situation and shows his desire for a resolution, which is something that I felt I needed to hear from the NFL ownership. I never expected this and am impressed to see it. I wish he would have left out the “negotiation through mediation, not litigation” comment, but other than that I think he did a very good job of avoiding taking shots at the union.

by Papamag on Mar 15, 2011 6:33 PM MDT reply actions