Moments after the Broncos were crowned Super Bowl 50 champions, team president John Elway stood on the podium, hoisted the Lombardi Trophy and declared, “This one’s for Pat.” Dedicating the win to the Broncos’ ailing owner Pat Bowlen, who was unable to attend due to his advancing Alzheimer’s, was classy, poignant and emotional. It invoked the memory of Bowlen inversely saying “This one’s for John” after the Broncos’ first Super Bowl win with Elway 18 years ago. It was perfect, actually.
Elway’s euphoric smile on that stage could be felt for miles, setting the tone for the Broncos to presumably revel in their own success, their place in history.