The NFL lost a legend. Pat Bowlen, the principal owner of the Denver Broncos since 1984, passed away Thursday night at age 75 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Broncos released a statement from the Bowlen family just after midnight announcing his passing.

“We are saddened to inform everyone that our beloved husband and father, Pat Bowlen, passed on to the next chapter of his life late Thursday night peacefully at home surrounded by family. His soul will live on through the Broncos, the city of Denver and all of our fans.

“Our family wishes to express its sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support we have received in recent years. Heaven got a little bit more orange and blue tonight.”

With Bowlen as owner, the Broncos have won three Super Bowls, appeared in four more, won the AFC West 13 times and made 18 total playoff appearances. Bowlen is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August after being elected in the contributor category in January.

Bowlen, known as “Mr. B” to many who worked for him, was also the first owner in pro football history to oversee a team that won 300 games in his first 30 years at the helm.

Bowlen, through Denver Broncos charities, donated more than $30 million to local charities, including the funding for the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club, becoming the only team to fully find such an organization.

“Nobody is going to care whether the team is worth a billion dollars or whatever,” Bowlen once said. “That doesn’t matter. It’s more about how successful you were as an organization and as a team on the field and in the community.”