Faces of Courage: Denver Broncos Owner Resigns and Discloses Alzheimer’s

I have great respect for individuals who publicly disclose their diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or other serious, progressive conditions.  The Denver Bronco’s owner Pat Bowlen, frequently described as one of the “most iconic owners in NFL history,” recently disclosed that his decision to step down completely at age 70 was connected to his struggles with Alzheimer’s.  According to the Denver Post, “Bowlen had first revealed to [the newspaper] in May 2009 that he was experiencing short-term memory loss.”  

News reports on Bowlen also demonstrate the importance of succession planning tools such as “trusts” to manage assets, particularly when there is a goal or plan for continued family involvement.