ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —As news broke Thursday that Owner Pat Bowlen was nominated by the Contributors Committee as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, two members of the Broncos organization delivered the news to him personally.

President and CEO Joe Ellis and Ring of Fame safety Steve Atwater visited Bowlen in his home, where Atwater shared the good news.

"It was great," Atwater said. "Joe Ellis allowed me to go over with him, and I was just able to tell him the good news. He looked up and he smiled a little bit and it was like he knew something big was going on and that he was a part of it. I was very honored to be able to deliver the news to Mr. Bowlen. He's so deserving of it, and it's just really a wonderful day."

The moment, as expected, was an emotional one for Atwater, who played on Bowlen's team from 1989-98.