The outsize image of Pat Bowlen that hangs inside the gymnasium at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club is fading. His once orange tie is now a pastel peach. His once rosy cheeks are now beige. And the glimmer of the Lombardi Trophy in his hand is now a washed-out white, its shine blending into the concrete-block wall.



After more than 15 years of watching over the club and the close to 15,000 kids who have passed through, Bowlen’s larger-than-life photo is finally showing wear that matches the hardwood court beneath it.



But his presence and his impact inside these walls are as strong as ever.



Since August 2003, when Bowlen stood outside the refurbished recreation center and cut a ribbon to announce its opening, the Broncos Boys & Girls Club has stood alone as the only such club fully funded by a U.S professional sports team. While many organizations and athletes sponsor local clubs or regularly donate to its programming, none are involved to the...