Broncos should make the change to “Pat Bowlen Field”

Let’s get this out of the way right now: Pat Bowlen would not have wanted any of this.

The Denver Broncos owner would not have wanted the tribute he got at Mile High Stadium on Tuesday.

He would not want the Broncos to don “Mr. B” stickers on their helmets.

He did not want John Elway to say, “This one’s for Pat” after Super Bowl 50.

But that didn’t stop those things from happening. And it shouldn’t stop perhaps an even bigger tribute to the Broncos owner following his passing last week — henceforth calling where the team plays “Pat Bowlen Field” at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

It’s not about whether Mr. B would have wanted it. That’s not why you do it.

As Adam Malnati said on the MHR Radio Podcast (ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher), you do it for the fans, players, members of the organization and family members who will keep his memory and spirit alive. You do it because it would have been what Bowlen would have done in a similar situation. You do it because it’s the right thing to do.

If the franchise ever sells the stadium naming rights, the name is Pat Bowlen Field at (insert company name here) Stadium. You’re not naming the stadium after Mr. B. That’s not realistic given the money the franchise needs to help fund facility updates.

Naming it Pat Bowlen Field is a happy medium for all involved. Anytime the stadium is referenced, Bowlen’s name is included. That pays the ultimate tribute to the man who made it all possible. Credit needs to go to longtime Denver sports columnist Woody Paige, who called for this years ago. And here is a petition for the name change that was started shortly after Bowlen’s passing.

Make it happen.

No, Bowlen would not have wanted the field named after him, but that’s not why you do it. You do it because Mr. B deserves it.

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