An NFL linebacker and the heart and soul of the Denver Broncos “Orange Crush” defense, Randy Gradishar has waited some time to hear his name announced as a finalist for the Hall of Fame.
After his retirement in 1983, Gradishar is finally set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after 35 years of eligibility and four times as a finalist. Here’s a look at Gradishar’s incredible career.
Randy Gradishar’s Stats and Career Accomplishments
Born and raised in Ohio, Gradishar attended Champion High School. He lettered all three years in football and basketball and holds multiple high school records for most blocked shots (44), single-game rebounds (26), and most rebounds (817). He was inducted into the Champion High School Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gradishar attended and played football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1971 to 1973. During his three years as a starter, the Buckeyes went 25-6-1 and won two Big Ten championships. Gradishar was a consensus first-team All-American in 1972 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 1973. He also earned academic All-American honors in 1973.
Gradishar was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity Hall of Fame in 1983 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also selected to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000.
The Broncos drafted Gradishar 14th overall in the 1974 NFL Draft. He started midway through his rookie season and was named to his first Pro Bowl after the 1975 season. From 1976 through the end of his career, he and Tom Jackson would anchor what was known as the “Orange Crush” defense.
In those eight years, the “Orange Crush” defense allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL, bested by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” and Dallas Cowboys’ “Doomsday” defenses.
“We played together for seven or eight years,” Gradishar said. “It was about each guy taking his own responsibility for his position, playing the best he can and being encouraged by the coaches from a skill standpoint and a practice standpoint.”
In 1976, the Broncos switched to a 3-4 defense, meaning Gradishar underwent a minor role change. The switch proved fruitful as he would not only lead Denver in tackles for the second year in a row but also all NFL linebackers in sacks.
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In 1977, Gradishar and the suffocating defense helped lead the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl 12. He was named a first-team All-Pro and earned Pro Bowl honors. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. Denver’s defense allowed just 198 points in 16 games, second that season behind the Super Bowl champion Steelers.
During the 1979 season, the Broncos ranked fifth in fewest points allowed, while Gradishar led the team in tackles for the fifth straight season. The unit took a step back in 1980, but Gradishar would have an iconic 93-yard interception return touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.
In 1981, Dan Reeves took over as head coach after Red Miller was fired for a mediocre 8-8 season the year prior. With Reeves at the helm, the “Orange Crush” bounced back, ranking sixth in total defense and ninth in points allowed. Gradishar would have one of the best seasons of his career, earning first-team All-Pro, All-AFC, and Pro Bowl honors.
Denver would not return to the playoffs until 1983, led by rookie quarterback John Elway and Gradishar as he prepared to play his final NFL season. Gradishar was a seven-time Pro Bowler, being named first-team All-Pro twice and second-team All-Pro three times during his 10-year career.
While solo tackles were not an official stat until 2001, Gradishar is unofficially credited with 2,049 during his stint with the Broncos. To put that in perspective, Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis currently holds the official record for most tackles in a career with 1,568.
Gradishar would have a 500-tackle lead on Lewis and amassed that total in 10 seasons compared to 17. That stat alone highlights why Gradishar is a worthy Hall of Fame entrant.
Gradishar’s Road to Canton
Gradishar, the journey to the Hall of Fame was a long one. His election comes 35 years after he was first eligible.
“This certainly has been a real blessing,” Gradishar said during the Hall of Fame ceremonies. “I really had no dreams or desires of ever being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It has been 35 years for me waiting, and I’m pretty excited about it.”
“It’s been great just talking to the guys, us new guys going in along with the former people that have gone in,” Gradishar added. “Through [Hall of Fame CEO] Jim Porter and through the staff and even through the players, you get that feeling that you’re in this special club now.
What a special moment to share with family! Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar has his wife by his side when putting on his @HaggarCo Gold Jacket.
He received his Gold Jacket from fellow @Broncos Legend Steve Atwater.#PFHOF24 pic.twitter.com/9Z7k0PBBq5
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 3, 2024
“This is very unique, very special, and you’ve earned it. These are the ways that you have earned it, to come into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s certainly more on the elite side, … and I think Jim even said today that my number is 373 out of a jillion people who could have been coming in here, so that number for me means a lot. It’s certainly very special.”