I kind of feel old saying it, but I have to watch the news before I go to bed every night or I feel disconnected to the world. I am not a huge fan of the sports guy on 9News in Denver, Drew Soicher, who to me tries to be funny when he isn't. The "joke" he cracked on Thursday has left a bunch of people around town far from laughing... 

He was opening his segment of the newscast on Thursday, after Wednesday’s Denver Broncos’ announcement that Pat Bowlen had resigned control of the team, acknowledging he’s dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. His opening line was this:

Soicher has since explained that it's been blown out of proportion by social media, and released this statement:

To clarify, I am not joking about anybody's illness. In an attempt to convey the information about the prevalence of conversation regarding Alzheimer's disease at Broncos training camp (Pat Bowlen's resignation as CEO and the death of Demaryius Thomas' grandmother), I delivered a line which some viewers found offensive. For that, I sincerely apologize.

Alzheimer's is a horrible, insidious disease which affects the memory, thinking and behavior of more than five million Americans. There is nothing funny about it. I was not striving for humor.

I hope the courage of the Bowlen family triggers a discussion that leads to a greater awareness of a serious issue.

Tell us if you were offended in the comment section below.

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