A look at Annabel Bowlen's years with the Broncos.
Annabel Bowlen finishes her speech with a flourish during Ring of Fame induction ceremonies for her husband, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, on Nov. 1, 2015.
Demaryius Thomas greets Annabel Bowlen prior to the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 team photo on Feb. 6, 2016.
Peyton Manning greets Annabel Bowlen prior to the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 team photo on Feb. 6, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen holds the Ring of Fame ring for Red Miller's wife, Nan Miller, during the halftime Ring of Fame festivities on Nov. 19, 2017.
Annabel Bowlen during pregame ceremonies to celebrate the Broncos' three Super Bowl championships on Sept. 8, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen,center, celebrates postgame on the awards platform with the team after Denver defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen and Joe Ellis pose for a photo at the White House on June 6, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen presents a personalized Broncos jersey to President Barack Obama during the team's visit to the White House on June 6, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen during the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame halftime ceremonies at Sports Authority Field on Sept. 14, 2014.
Annabel Bowlen waves to the camera as Lombardi Trophy confetti falls around her, John Elway, Paige Elway, Gary Kubiak and Rhonda Kubiak after the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 win.
Annabel Bowlen and head coach Gary Kubiak pose for a photo with the Lombardi Trophy during the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 parade and celebration.
Annabel Bowlen and Joe Ellis receive the Lombardi Trophy from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the awards stage after the Broncos defeated the Panthers on Feb. 7, 2016.
NFL commission Roger Goodell, right, hands Annabel Bowlen the Lombardi trophy as President and CEO Joe Ellis assists during the Lombardi Trophy presentation after Denver defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
Annabel Bowlen and the Bowlen family at the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sept. 16, 2017. (Ben Swanson)
Peyton Manning, John Elway,Terrell Davis and Annabel Bowlen during pregame ceremonies celebrating the Broncos' three Super Bowl championships on Sept. 8, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen and the Bowlen family at the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sept. 16, 2017.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94), Annabel Bowlen, outside linebacker Von Miller (58) at the Broncos' 2016 team photo picture day at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
Annabel Bowlen during the Ring of Fame Banquet on Nov. 17, 2017.
Annabel Bowlen, representing Owner Pat Bowlen, talks with Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) before the team photo on Oct. 4, 2017.
Annabel Bowlen and the Bowlen family at the 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer's at City Park on Sept. 17, 2016.
Broncos Owner and CEO Pat Bowlen and wife Annabel prior to ceremonies where Bowlen received the Mizel Institute's 2013 Community Enrichment Award on May 22, 2013, in front of more than 2,000 guests, including Broncos Hall of Famers.
Annabel Bowlen hoists the Lombardi Trophy during the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 celebration and parade.
Annabel Bowlen, holding the Lombardi Trophy, sits next to Von Miller and Peyton Manning's daughter, Mosley, on top of a fire truck during the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 championship parade on Feb. 9, 2016.
Peyton Manning speaks with Annabel Bowlen after his retirement ceremony at UCHealth Training Center on March 7, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen stands with John Elway, Gary Kubiak, DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and guests from the Wounded Warrior Project, who joined the Broncos for their visit to the White House.
Annabel Bowlen speaks during the induction of Denver Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen into the Ring of Fame on Oct. 30, 2015.
Annabel Bowlen shakes the hand of a veteran who was at the White House with the Broncos as a guest of the Wounded Warriors Project during the team's visit after winning Super Bowl 50.
Karl Mecklenburg embraces Annabel Bowlen during the induction of Denver Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen into the Ring of Fame on Oct. 30, 2015.
Annabel Bowlen holds up the Lombardi Trophy while standing with her family, including her mother, Joan Spencer, during the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 parade and celebration.
Annabel Bowlen and Von Miller pose for a photo with the Lombardi Trophy on the top of the lead firetruck before the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 parade.
Annabel Bowlen holds up the Lombardi Trophy during the Broncos' Super Bowl celebration on the steps of the Denver City Council building.
Von Miller gives Annabel Bowlen a hug at the Broncos' 2016 team photo picture day at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
Annabel Bowlen at the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sept. 16, 2017.
Broncos Hall of Famers Shannon Sharpe, John Elway, Gary Zimmerman and Floyd Little congratulate Annabel Bowlen after her speech during Ring of Fame induction ceremonies for her husband, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, on Nov. 1, 2015.
Annabel Bowlen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway at the Broncos' 2016 team photo picture day at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
Annabel Bowlen,center, celebrates postgame on the awards platform with the team after Denver defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen talks with Head Coach Vance Joseph and his wife Holly, right, daughter Nataly, left, and Stone, foreground, at Joseph's introductory press conference . Jan. 12, 2017.
Annabel Bowlen, representing Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, hugs Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) before the team photo on Oct. 4, 2017.
Annabel Bowlen greets DeMarcus Ware prior to the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 team photo on Feb. 6, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen receives a game ball from head coach Gary Kubiak as members of the Bowlen family look on postgame in the locker room after Denver defeated the Packers on Nov. 1, 2015. Mrs. Bowlen had represented her husband, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, during the day's Ring of Fame induction festivities and gave a speech on his behalf at halftime.
Annabel Bowlen holds the game ball she received from head coach Gary Kubiak as she hugs her daughter Brittany postgame in the locker room after Denver defeated the Packers on Nov. 1, 2015. Mrs. Bowlen had represented her husband, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, during the day's Ring of Fame induction festivities and gave a speech on his behalf at halftime.
Annabel Bowlen stands with Joe Ellis by the Lombardi and Super Bowl 50 trophies during the team's White House visit on June 6, 2016.
Annabel Bowlen watches with pride during the Ring of Fame induction ceremony for Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen at halftime of the Broncos' game against the Packers on Nov. 1, 2015.
During 2014 Ring of Fame ceremonies for inductees Dan Reeves, Gene Mingo and Rick Upchurch, the Ring of Famers put their hands in along with Annabel Bowlen for a photo at Sports Authority Field on Sept. 12, 2014.
Annabel Bowlen, wife of Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, poses for a photograph near MetLife Stadium before the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The announcement by Mrs. Annabel Bowlen this past week of her Alzheimer's diagnosis was a blow to all of us.
No one could have expected this, just as several years ago it was just as shocking to find that our beloved owner Pat suffers from the same affliction.
Sometimes the greatest strength shows itself in the most difficult of situations.
A couple of weeks ago a cousin of mine who is a police officer was honored for an act of heroism in pulling a man from a burning car.
My cousin's father said, "We all like to think we would have such courage, but we never know until we are tested."
So too has Annabel demonstrated such courage, and she now does so every day.
After Pat's diagnosis and upon his decision to step back from the daily running of the team, Annabel assumed a greater role as a spokeswoman in many situations.
This was never something she sought or desired, but she did it, always with grace and dignity.
And with strength.
It is not easy to have an ill husband, five children, and all of Broncos Country listening to you and judging your behavior and every word you utter.
But Annabel did so.
There was a number of times when we were speaking together, usually at Ring of Fame dinners and halftime presentations, and she has always been so concerned about doing the right things and saying the right things for the fans.
Annabel has always put what was expected of her above whether or not she wished to take the stage at all.
She always has preferred the background, but she stepped forward to represent her dear husband Pat, as well as our team and community, as she felt was required of her.
Annabel could have said no. But she never did.
And now we need to be there for her, as Annabel Bowlen has once again shown great strength in her candor regarding this terrible disease.
She could have chosen to stay quiet.
She could have asked others to speak on her behalf as time goes on, thus keeping her private medical condition private to herself.
But she did not.
Annabel spoke out not just for herself, but for everyone else who suffers, or who has suffered, or who will suffer in the future, as well as for their friends, families and support systems.
She has told us all that standing tall and being honest is the first step in facing a situation and, frankly, conquering it.
Annabel Bowlen shows us as much strength as much strength as the greatest of her players.
With so much grace, strength and dignity, she can stand up to anything.
And we all should be entirely supportive of Mrs. Bowlen, who is showing us the way each and every day.
