Pat Bowlen would be stepping down from hi..."/> Pat Bowlen would be stepping down from hi..."/>

John Elway: Broncos won’t be the same without Pat Bowlen

Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and executive vice president of football operations John Elway celebrate after the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and executive vice president of football operations John Elway celebrate after the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Late Tuesday night, the Denver Broncos announced that owner Pat Bowlen would be stepping down from his position as he deals with Alzheimer’s.

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With time to digest the situation, general manager John Elway has commented one what is next for the Broncos in Bowlen’s absence.

According to Elway, things won’t be the same.

“From the inside out, it will never be the same here,” Elway said, via the Denver Post. “He has given me so much. It’s going to be hard to walk through those doors and not see him.”

Bowlen is handing ownership duties over to Broncos president Joe Ellis.

“We are going to do right by his family, the team and the community,” Ellis said. “This is really hard. It doesn’t change what we do. He loved running this team and was really good at it. … We all wish Pat would walk through that door and do what he did so well. But he left us a blueprint that’s easy to follow.”

While Bowlen has stepped down from his duties as team owner, control of the team will now belong to the Pat Bowlen Trust and there are no plans to sell the team. The hope from Bowlen is that it will remain in the family.

During his 30 year career with the Broncos, Bowlen got to witness six Super Bowl appearances and he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy on two different occasions.