Tearful Denver farewell

DENVER – They were best friends as much as employee and boss. Nothing told that story better than the tears in the eyes of Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan as they talked about their sad farewell.

“This is as tough as it gets,” Bowlen said Wednesday, his eyes moist, as he explained his day-old decision to fire the coach who finally brought the Super Bowl trophy to Denver.

“These are tough decisions, but that’s what leaders do,” Shanahan said, also trying to choke back tears.

They held separate news conferences, back to back, in a meeting room where the entrance features a life-size picture of John Elway hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. “This one’s for John,” Bowlen famously said on the Broncos’ greatest day.

Eleven years later the owner and coach crossed paths in the hallway – Bowlen wearing an orange tie, Shanahan a mustard-colored sports coat with no sign of the orange and blue he has bled for more than two decades, the last 14 years as head coach.

Bowlen acknowledged the new coach probably wouldn’t have full control of the organization the way Shanahan did over a franchise-defining tenure that will be remembered better for its successes than its failures.

As for short lists and timetables? Well, the wounds are too fresh right now.

“It’s a process that starts today,” Bowlen said. “I may end up regretting this decision. But right now, I’m very comfortable with the decision that we’ve got to go in another direction.”

It will cost Bowlen plenty, an emotional toll to tack onto the $20 million Shanahan will be owed in the unlikely event he doesn’t get another job. But “if you’re worried about what it’s worth, get in some other business,” Bowlen said.