And just like that, a great imbalance on the scales of Football Justice has been righted with legendary Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gradishar’s election was officially announced on Thursday night.
After enduring the agony of being named a finalist four times, it all passes like water under the bridge, with Gradishar finally joining the hallowed halls of Canton, OH.
Gradishar had a message for Broncos Country after the news broke.
Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner also released a statement after the news broke.
“It’s all because of you, and it’s all because of the ‘Orange Crush’ defense.”
A message to #BroncosCountry from @ProFootballHOF LB Randy Gradishar: pic.twitter.com/NFclg404N2
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 9, 2024
“We join all of Broncos Country in congratulating Randy Gradishar on becoming the newest Denver Bronco elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Without question, Randy is one of the most impactful figures in Broncos history and one of the greatest linebackers of all time. The iconic ‘Orange Crush’ will now finally have its first Hall of Famer, and there could not be a better representative of our first Super Bowl team and this organization than Randy.
“Carrie and I were honored to be part of Randy’s ‘Knock on the Door’ surprise a few weeks ago. He has waited nearly 40 years for this moment, and we are excited to celebrate Randy this summer as he takes his well-deserved place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Drafted with the No. 14 overall pick out of Ohio State back in 1974, Gradishar would go on to play for the Broncos for 10 years. He was as reliable as he was prolific, never missing a game after his rookie season.
Gradishar earned a Pro Bowl nod seven times, was a five-time All-Pro (two first-team nods), and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. The season prior birthed the vaunted Orange Crush defense in Denver, which he led as its face, culminating in the Broncos’ first-ever Super Bowl berth in the 1977 campaign.
As the only Bronco to ever win the DPOY award, Gradishar had a singular impact as an inside linebacker. Although tackle statistics weren’t tracked for a good chunk of his NFL career, he unofficially totaled north of 2,000 tackles. In 10 years…
That averages him out to 200-plus per season. Gradishar was a bonafide playmaker, notching 33 takeaways during his career, and scoring four touchdowns, including one exciting 93-yard interception return.
The wait is over!
RT to congratulate legendary Orange Crush LB Randy Gradishar on being elected to the @ProFootballHOF Class of 2024. 👏
📰 » https://t.co/JAjQbq6mz8 pic.twitter.com/LUExz63gtI
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 9, 2024
Gradishar has long been in the Broncos Ring of Fame, but he’s also in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and now the Pro Football Hall. It’s the trifecta.
Congratulations to Gradishar, who has suffered the anguish and misfortune of being snubbed for the Hall of Fame for too many years. Like Steve Atwater, who also had to wait a long time for enshrinement, here’s to putting all that frustration in the rear-view and focusing on Gradishar finally joining his fellow Broncos in Canton — where he’s always belonged.
Gradishar will be enshrined with the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class later this summer. He’ll be 72 years old.
