DENVER — The Broncos new ownership group added another big name on Monday.

Rob Walton of the Walton-Penner group, which purchased the franchise for $4.65 billion last month, pending NFL approval, announced that former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is joining the ownership group.

"A highly respected public servant accomplished academic and corporate leader, Secretary Rice is well known as a passionate and knowledgeable football fan who has worked to make the sport stronger and better. She is the daughter of a football coach and served on the inaugural college football playoff committee. She moved to Denver with her family when she was 12 years old and went on to attend the University of Denver for both college and graduate school. Her unique experience and extraordinary judgment will be a great benefit to our group and the Broncos organization," Walton said.

As Walton described, Rice has a longstanding connection to football and Denver. Her family moved from Alabama to Colorado in 1967. She enrolled in the University of Denver after high school, first showing interest in music before finding her passion in political science. Her love for football came from her father, according to multiple stories. She watched Alabama Crimson Tide and Cleveland Browns games with him growing up. Her father was a high school football coach.

At one point a few years ago, Rice was rumored to be a candidate for a front-office job with Cleveland.

Rice received the National Football Foundation Gold Medal in 2015 for her connection to the sport, the first woman to earn the honor in the organization's 69-year history.

Rice currently is the director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. She is most well known for serving in the U.S. government, including as Secretary of State for President George W. Bush from 2005-2009.

"It is an honor to be part of this ownership group. Football has been an integral part of my life since the moment it was introduced to me, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Broncos organization today," Rice said in a statement released by the Hoover Institution. "I spent much of my younger years in Denver, so to be able to combine my love of the game with my love for this great city and team is an adventure of a lifetime and a great opportunity."

She joins Mellody Hobson, who is president of co-CEO of Ariel Investments and serves as the chairwoman of Starbucks, as the only members of the ownership group not connected to the Walton family. Rob Walton spearheaded the purchase of the team — it is the highest-paid price for a North American sports franchise — with his son-in-law Greg Penner and Walton's daughter Carrie Penner expected to be involved in the daily operations.

This story was originally published by KMGH in Denver, Colorado.

DENVER, Colo. (KMGH) — Former NFL coach Dan Reeves died Saturday after a long battle with dementia.

He was 77.

His family released a statement to NFL Network.

"Legendary NFL player and coach Dan Reeves passed away early this morning, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family at his home in Atlanta, GA. He passed away at age 77 due to complications from a long illness. His legacy will continue through his many friends, players and fans as well as the rest of the NFL community. Arrangements are still to be determined."

Reeves helped the Denver Broncos become the class of the AFC in the 1980s. He led the franchise to three Super Bowls, failing to win any, but creating a brand of excellence along with quarterback John Elway that made the Broncos a national draw.

Reeves ranks second among Broncos coaches in wins (110), trailing only Mike Shanahan, his former assistant. Both are Ring of Famers. Reeves entered in 2014.

Reeves returned Denver to its late 1970s glory. He posted 10 wins seven times and was a regular in the postseason, posting only one losing season during his Denver career from 1981-92. Those Broncos were known for tough defenses, and the athleticism and late-game magic of Elway, who arrived in 1983 via trade. With Elway fueling the charge, the Broncos won three AFC West titles.

Reeves delivered a 13-7 playoff record with the Broncos.

Reeves later coached the Giants and Falcons. He faced the Broncos in Super Bowl 33 with Atlanta but fell short as Denver won back-to-back titles. Reeves participated in nine Super Bowls as a player and coach.

Reeves grew up on a farm in Georgia and attended college at South Carolina. He played seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, learning from Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry. As a rushing and receiving threat, Reeves led the league in touchdowns with 16 in 1966. He helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI in 1972.

An injury ended his NFL career but launched a successful coaching run. Reeves posted a career record of 201-174-2, making him one of seven coaches with 200 victories.

This story was originally reported by Troy Renck on thedenverchannel.com.