SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Contributors Committee meets next week, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen will be one of the primary names up for discussion.

And before the committee determines the single finalist for the 2018 enshrinement class, President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway is doing everything in his power to help Bowlen earn football's ultimate honor.

"Well, we've already sent letters to everybody and showed our support for Pat, and why we think and why I think Pat deserves to be in the Hall of Fame," Elway said Thursday. "That's all we can continue to do is continue to support him and let everything fall as it may."

The Broncos' first Hall of Famer was in Canton, Ohio, less than two weeks ago as he saw former teammate Terrell Davis enshrined into football's most exclusive fraternity, and he believes Bowlen belongs, as well.

"As you know, and as I've said so many times," Elway said, "he deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame because of what he's done not only for the Denver Broncos — the culture that he's brought, the ability and to give us [the chance] to win football games and compete for championships — but also, if you look at the growth [from] 1984, when he got in the league, to where it is now … he was a big part of the growth of the NFL."

"To me, as a contributor and the committees he was on, that's proof right there that he belongs in the Hall of Fame."