View source for Randy Gradishar

{{Short description|American football player (born 1952)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image       = Rg53dnb2.jpg
| caption     = Gradishar in 2003
| position    = [[Linebacker]]
| number      = 52, 53
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1952|3|3|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Warren, Ohio]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 3
| weight_lbs  = 233
| draftyear   = 1974
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 14
| high_school = [[Champion High School|Champion]] {{nowrap|([[Champion Township, Ohio]])}}
| college     = [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]]
| teams       =
* [[Denver Broncos]] ([[1974 NFL season|1974]]–[[1983 NFL season|1983]])
| statlabel1  = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue1  = 19.5{{efn|name=Sacks|4.5 of his 19.5 career sacks are "official," since that category did not become official until 1982, Gradishar's next-to-last season)}}
| statlabel2  = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue2  = 20
| statlabel3  = [[Touchdowns]]
| statvalue3  = 4
| statlabel4  = [[Tackle (football move)|Tackle]]s
| statvalue4  = 2,049
| pfr         = GradRa00
| highlights  =
* [[AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year|NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] (1978)
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1977 All-Pro Team|1977]], [[1978 All-Pro Team|1978]])
* 3× Second-team All-Pro ([[1979 All-Pro Team|1979]], [[1981 All-Pro Team|1981]], [[1983 All-Pro Team|1983]])
* 7× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1976 Pro Bowl|1975]], [[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]], [[1982 Pro Bowl|1981]]–[[1984 Pro Bowl|1983]])
* [[Denver Broncos Ring of Fame]]
* [[Unanimous All-American]] ([[1973 College Football All-America Team|1973]])
* Consensus [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1972 College Football All-America Team|1972]])
* 3× First-team [[List of All-Big Ten Conference football teams|All-Big Ten]] ([[1971 All-Big Ten Conference football team|1971]], [[1972 All-Big Ten Conference football team|1972]], [[1973 All-Big Ten Conference football team|1973]])
* [[Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame|Ohio State Varsity Hall of Fame]]
* [[Ohio State Football All-Century Team]]
| HOF         = randy-gradishar
| CollegeHOF  = 1991
}}
'''Randolph Charles Gradishar''' (born March 3, 1952) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[linebacker]] for 10 seasons with the [[Denver Broncos]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) during the 1970s and 1980s. A native of [[Ohio]], Gradishar was a one-time consensus and one-time unanimous [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] playing [[college football]] for the [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State Buckeyes]], before playing ten seasons for Denver, where he was the centerpiece of their "[[Orange Crush Defense]]". In 2024, he was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=St. Clair |first=Ian |date=2024-02-08 |title=Randy Gradishar finally inducted into the HOF |url=https://www.milehighreport.com/2024/2/8/24065258/broncos-randy-gradishar-2024-pro-football-hall-of-fame-inductee |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Mile High Report |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Gradishar is a 1970 graduate of [[Champion High School]], [[Champion Township, Trumbull County, Ohio|Champion]], [[Ohio]]. During his high school career, Randy [[Letterman (sports)|lettered]] all three years in both [[High school football|football]] and [[basketball]]. As a high school football player, Randy received honors including All-League, All-County, and the Star Helmet Award.

In basketball, he was the leading [[Rebound (basketball)|rebounder]] for three years and the second leading scorer for two years, receiving All-League and All-County honors. Randy holds the high school records for most [[Block (basketball)|blocked shots]] (44), single game rebounds (26), and most career rebounds (817).

In 2004, Randy was inducted into the Champion High School Hall of Fame for Athletics. He was presented by his former high school coach, Al Carrino.<ref name="Champion">[http://championlocal.org/scp.php?p=286 Hall of Fame for Athletics 2004 Inductees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725160404/http://championlocal.org/scp.php?p=286|date=July 25, 2011}}, [[Champion Local School District]]</ref>

==College career==
Gradishar, who graduated with a degree in Distributive Education, was a three-year starter with the [[Ohio State University]] from 1971 to [[1973 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|1973]]. Former Ohio State [[head coach]] [[Woody Hayes]] called Gradishar "the best linebacker I ever coached".<ref name="CSTV quote">{{cite web| url=http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/greats/osu-m-footbl-gradishar.html| title=Randy Gradishar| work=ohiostatebuckeyes.com| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313075853/http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/greats/osu-m-footbl-gradishar.html| archive-date=March 13, 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref> He made 134 tackles in his senior year, 60 of them solo, to lead the team.<ref name="Time All-America">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908338-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912022113/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908338-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2009|title=''TIME''{{'}}s All-America Team: Pick of the Pros|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]|date=December 17, 1973}}</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:lightsteelblue; width:20em;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "Randy Gradishar is the finest linebacker I ever coached"<ref name="CSTV quote" />
|-
| style="text-align: right;" | —[[Woody Hayes]]
|}
In Gradishar's three years with the Buckeyes, all as a starter, the team had a 25–6–1 record, with two [[Big Ten Conference]] championships. Gradishar's final collegiate game was a 42–21 victory over the [[University of Southern California]] in the [[1974 Rose Bowl]], to complete a 10–0–1 season. In his senior season the Ohio State defense allowed only 64 points and posted four shutouts.<ref>[http://www.centralohio.com/ohiostate/football/legacy/highlights/defensive.html All-time OSU defensive team packs quite a wallop], [[Gannett News Service]]</ref>

Against [[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]] in 1973, Gradishar made 22 tackles, then the second most in a game in Ohio State history, and still stands as 9th best. His 320 career tackles were the most in school history when Gradishar left Ohio State and now stands as 11th best in team history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://admin.xosn.com/fls/17300//pdf/fb/m-footbl-records1.pdf?SPSID=87751&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300 |title=Ohio State Rushing Records |access-date=November 10, 2007 |archive-date=February 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211175338/http://admin.xosn.com/fls/17300//pdf/fb/m-footbl-records1.pdf?SPSID=87751&SPID=10408&DB_OEM_ID=17300 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Gradishar was a consensus First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] in [[1972 College Football All-America Team|1972]] and a unanimous First-team selection in [[1973 College Football All-America Team|1973]]. Also in 1973, Gradishar finished sixth in the voting for the [[Heisman Trophy]].<ref>[http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-cappelletti73.html John Cappelletti] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728163355/http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-cappelletti73.html |date=July 28, 2007 }}, Heiseman.com.</ref>
<blockquote>

===1973 Heisman voting===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Place !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Player, School, Position, Year !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Points
|-
|''1st'' || [[John Cappelletti]], [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]], [[Running back|RB]], Sr. || ''1,057''
|-
|''2nd'' || [[John Hicks (American football)|John Hicks]], Ohio State, [[Offensive tackle|OT]], Jr. ||  ''524''
|-
|''3rd'' || [[Roosevelt Leaks]], [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]], RB, Jr. ||  ''482''
|-
|''4th'' || [[David Jaynes]], [[Kansas Jayhawks football|Kansas]], [[Quarterback|QB]], Sr. ||  ''394''
|-
|''5th'' || [[Archie Griffin]], Ohio State, RB, So. || ''326''
|-
|''6th'' || '''Randy Gradishar''', Ohio State, LB, Sr. ||  ''282''
|-
|''7th'' || [[Lucious Selmon]], [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]], [[Nose guard|NG]], Sr. || ''250''
|-
|''8th'' || [[Woody Green]], [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]], RB, Sr. || ''247''
|-
|''9th'' || [[Danny White]], Arizona State, QB, Sr.  || ''166''
|-
|''10th''|| [[Kermit Johnson]], [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]], RB, Sr. || ''122''
|}
</blockquote>

Randy was also academic All-American in 1973. According to [[Scout (sport)|scouts]] Gradishar was a linebacker who went out every day with his [[hard hat]] and [[Lunch box|lunch pail]] and got the job done.<ref name="Cleveland Fan 8">[http://www.theclevelandfan.com/article_detail.php?id=2026 The Ten Greatest Buckeyes Of All-Time: #8 Randy Gradishar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508001638/http://www.theclevelandfan.com/article_detail.php?id=2026 |date=May 8, 2021 }}, theclevelandfan.com.</ref> When naming Gradishar All-American ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' stated he was the "best Big Ten linebacker in three years" Gradishar is a punishing tackler capable of penetrating any block, and, say the scouts, "he has that great pro quality—the ability to cover somebody else's mistake."<ref name="Time All-America" /> Before entering the [[National Football League]] Gradishar played in the [[Hula Bowl]] and the Coaches' All-American game in 1974.

While attending the Ohio State University, Gradishar joined the [[Delta Upsilon]] fraternity.

===College legacy===
Gradishar was inducted into the [[Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame]] in 1983. In 1987, he was inducted into the [[Denver Broncos#Colorado Sports Hall of Fame|Colorado Sports Hall of Fame]]. Gradishar was elected to the GTE Academic Hall of Fame in 1992. Ohio State's [[Athletic director|director of athletics]], Ed Weaver, said, "No more outstanding young man has participated in our athletic program."<ref>{{College Football HoF|id=1991|name=Randy Gradishar|accessdate=July 24, 2012 }}</ref> Gradishar was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 1998. In 1999 Gradishar received the [[Dick Butkus]] Silver Anniversary Award recognizing his achievements 25 years after his graduation from Ohio State.<ref>[http://phillong.squarespace.com/linebacker-1974-1983/ Phil Long.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009221229/http://phillong.squarespace.com/linebacker-1974-1983/ |date=October 9, 2009 }}</ref> He was selected to the [[Ohio State Football All-Century Team]] in 2000.

The Ohio State end-of-season award for most outstanding linebacker is known as the Randy Gradishar Award. Gradishar himself was named as the 8th best Ohio State player of all time.<ref name="Cleveland Fan 8" /> He also made the list of the top 100 college football players of all time.<ref>[http://americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/top100collegefootballplayers.html Top 100 College Football Players of All Time], America's Best & Top Ten.</ref> In 2000, he was named to [[ABC Sports]]'s All-Century team as an inside linebacker.

==Professional career==
Gradishar was drafted 14th overall in the [[1974 NFL draft]] by the [[Denver Broncos]]. Gradishar went on to spend 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos franchise. He played along with [[Tom Jackson (American football, born 1951)|Tom Jackson]] as part of the [[Orange Crush Defense]] and is considered by some to be the greatest defensive player in Broncos history. Teammate [[Jim Jensen]] said Gradishar and [[Roger Staubach]] were the two best players he ever took the field with.<ref>[http://rmnfla.com/jim_jensen.htm Jim Jensen] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918105423/http://rmnfla.com/jim_jensen.htm |date=September 18, 2009 }}, NFL Alumni, Rocky Mountain Chapter.</ref>

He became a starter midway though his [[rookie]] season and was named to his first [[Pro Bowl]] after the [[1975 Denver Broncos season|1975 season]], his third in the NFL. From that season through his last, 1983, the Broncos "Orange Crush" defense allowed the third fewest rushing yards in the NFL, behind only the [[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steelers]] "[[Steel Curtain]]"  defense and the [[Dallas Cowboys|Cowboys']] "Doomsday" defense.<ref name="For Hall of Fame">[http://www.gradishar4hof.com/home.aspx Randy Gradishar for the Professional Football Hall of Fame]</ref> Additionally, the Broncos trailed only the Steelers in the fewest yards per rush during that same span.<ref name="For Hall of Fame" /> They have been named one of the NFL's greatest defenses by the [[BBC]] and others.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/us_sport/2697577.stm Gridiron's greatest defences], [[BBC News]].</ref>

Gradishar became nationally known in a [[1975 Denver Broncos season|1975]] ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game versus the [[Green Bay Packers]] in which he picked off a pass and returned it for a game-sealing touchdown while also recording a [[Quarterback sack|sack]], two tackles for loss and knocked down two passes and recorded six solo tackles.<ref name="Play by play 74-83">[http://phillong.squarespace.com/play-by-play-sheet-74-83/ Phil Long.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716123317/http://phillong.squarespace.com/play-by-play-sheet-74-83/ |date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref>

In [[1976 Denver Broncos season|1976]] the Broncos switched to a [[3–4 defense]] in which Gradishar moved from middle linebacker to inside linebacker, where he stayed the remainder of his career. The switch to the 3–4 defense gave Gradishar responsibilities relative to rush-lane discipline and pass coverage that are beyond those of a middle linebacker in the [[4–3 defense]].<ref name="For Hall of Fame" /> In addition to leading the Broncos in tackles for the second straight year, Gradishar led all NFL linebackers in sacks, with seven. He was voted second-team All-[[American Football Conference|AFC]] by [[United Press International]].

[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 47 - Randy Gradishar (Randy Gradishar crop).jpg|thumb|left|Gradishar (''53'') playing for the Broncos in 1977 AFC Championship Game.]]

In [[1977 Denver Broncos season|1977]], Gradishar assisted the Broncos to [[Super Bowl XII]], their very first. He earned Pro Bowl honors and was named first team [[All-Pro]]. He anchored a defense that led the AFC in fewest points allowed (148 in the 14-game season) and gave up the 6th-fewest yards.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats;jsessionid=E9CAA88A309A3D638DA4F6C77F3AC9BB?season=1977&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=1&conference=ALL&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d-447263-p=1&d-447263-s=TOTAL_POINTS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-n=1 NFS Statistics by Team Category]</ref> Gradishar was also voted the AFC Defensive Player of the Year by the [[Columbus Touchdown Club]]. The 1977 Broncos season is documented in a new book by Terry Frei, '''77: Denver, the Broncos, and a Coming of Age'' that features Gradishar, [[Lyle Alzado]] and others.<ref>[http://terryfrei.com/_wsn/page2.html '77: Denver, the Broncos, and a Coming of Age] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904143302/http://terryfrei.com/_wsn/page2.html |date=September 4, 2007 }}</ref> The 1977 Broncos season began with a 7–0 [[shutout]] of the [[Arizona Cardinals|St. Louis Cardinals]] that had been one of the NFL's top offenses from 1974–1976 that featured offensive stars like [[Jim Hart (American football)|Jim Hart]], [[Terry Metcalf]], [[Mel Gray (wide receiver)|Mel Gray]], [[Dan Dierdorf]] and [[Conrad Dobler]]. In a 14–7 win against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] the Broncos made a [[Goal line (American football)|goal line]] stand as time expired to preserve a win. ''[[Denver Post]]'' staff writer Terry Frei's book, ''77: Denver, the Broncos, and a Coming of Age'', put it this way, "Gradishar penetrated and stopped two running plays, as Gradishar did time and time again on the goal line in his career. It was the trademark of both Gradishar and the defense overall".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_7582635|title=Broncos on cloud 10|work=[[The Denver Post]] | date=November 29, 2007}}</ref>

He was named consensus [[NFL Defensive Player of the Year]] in 1978 by winning the [[Associated Press]] Award, along with the UPI Defensive Player of the Year award and the NEA Defensive MVP award, receiving the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award|George Halas Trophy]] for his efforts as the Broncos reached the [[NFL playoffs|playoffs]] for the second straight season. The Broncos defense allowed 198 points in 16 games, which was second in the NFL behind the Super Bowl champion Steelers.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats;jsessionid=D4387A8E9300F4E8B3A44EC55D68E673?offensiveStatisticCategory=null&archive=true&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=1&conference=null&d-447263-s=TOTAL_POINTS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-n=1&season=1978&qualified=true&Submit=Find&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d447263-p=1 NFL Statistics by Team Category]</ref> Additionally, Gradishar was the ''[[Football Digest]]'' NFL Linebacker of the year in 1978, an honor he repeated in 1979.

The following season, [[1979 Denver Broncos season|1979]], the Broncos defense ranked 5th in fewest points allowed and Gradishar led the team in tackles for the 5th straight season.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats;jsessionid=F3025B0F6664AC6B102BA7D285659536?offensiveStatisticCategory=null&archive=true&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=2&conference=null&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-n=1&season=1979&qualified=true&Submit=Find&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d-447263-p=1 NFL Statistics by Team Category]</ref> The [[1980 Denver Broncos season|1980 season]] was average in terms of record (8–8) and statistics as the Broncos defense ranked in the middle of the pack in many defensive categories. Against the [[Cleveland Browns]] at [[Cleveland Stadium]], Gradishar returned an interception 93 yards for a [[touchdown]] which was his career long interception return, a team record,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/release.aspx?release_id=2959|title=Reed rumbles 108 yards for NFL record {{!}} Longest interception returns by team|work=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|date=November 24, 2008|access-date=June 2, 2014}}</ref> and one of four defensive touchdowns Gradishar scored in his career. He was also named All-Pro and was voted the Broncos Most Valuable Player for the second time in three years.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6UVUbuU_6gC&q=randy+gradishar&pg=PA65|title=Kardiac Kids: The Story of the 1980 Cleveland Browns|first=Jonathan|last=Knight|page=65 | isbn=978-0-87338-761-3 | year=2003 | publisher=Kent State University Press}}</ref>

However, under new coach [[Dan Reeves]] the Bronco defense rebounded in [[1981 Denver Broncos season|1981]], ranking 6th in total defense and 9th in fewest points allowed as Broncos finished the season with a record of 10-6.<ref>[http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats;jsessionid=8BFD4E9B88EAF116F3605F6F1EF06CED?offensiveStatisticCategory=null&archive=true&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=1&conference=null&d-447263-s=TOTAL_POINTS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-n=1&season=1981&qualified=true&Submit=Find&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d-447263-p=1 NFL Statistics by Team Category]</ref> Randy had one of his best seasons as he was consensus All-Pro and All-AFC as well as being voted to the Pro Bowl.

The Broncos returned to the playoffs in [[1983 Denver Broncos season|1983]], led by rookie quarterback [[John Elway]] and Gradishar, as he capped off his career with his seventh Pro Bowl in ten NFL seasons. In week 12 of 1983 season, against the [[Seattle Seahawks]], Gradishar intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble, recorded a sack, and a tackle for loss to go with his season-high 15 tackles in a key 38–27 win.<ref name="Play by play 74-83" />

===NFL legacy===
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:orange; width:20em;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "If you ask me to name the five best linebackers I played against, or had a chance to cover in my broadcasting career, Randy Gradishar would be on that list ... There is no question about his credentials; Randy Gradishar belongs in the Hall of Fame."<ref name=quotesPL>[http://phillong.squarespace.com/quotes-received-from-nfl-playe/ Quotes Received from NFL Players] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911082216/http://phillong.squarespace.com/quotes-received-from-nfl-playe/ |date=September 11, 2009 }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align: right;" | —[[Merlin Olsen]]
|}
His former coach Dan Reeves said about Gradishar, "He was as good a linebacker as I have ever been around, and I have been around some great ones. He was a leader without question of our defense while I was with Denver. He was an exceptional football player. I had a great deal of respect for him when I was at Dallas before I ever went to Denver. After I arrived in Denver and saw what kind of a leader he was my respect for him grew. He never missed a game and was a dominant force on the field. The opposing team always had to take him into account when they devised their game plans."<ref name="For Hall of Fame" />

Randy Gradishar was called, "the heart and soul of the original Orange Crush defense. He was the centerpiece of [[Joe Collier]]'s 3-4 and the glue that held a ragtag bunch of degenerates and hand-me-downs (I mean that in a good way) together."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5036887,00.html|title=A glaring omission|work=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|access-date=November 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911084521/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5036887,00.html|archive-date=September 11, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Pro Football Weekly]]''{{'}}s personnel [[Scout (sport)|scout]] Joel Buchsbaum wrote that "there are quite a few scouts who will tell you that former Broncos ILB Randy Gradishar was almost as good, even as good, as [[Jack Lambert (American football)|Jack Lambert]]" and "unlike Lambert, Gradishar was not a flashy headhunter, just a great anticipator who was a deadly tackler and great short-yardage defender".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives/features_1999/buchsbaum_091399.asp|title=Will Canton be calling?|work=[[Pro Football Weekly]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819051459/http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives/features_1999/buchsbaum_091399.asp|archive-date=August 19, 2007}}</ref>

When naming the top linebackers ever, Buchsbaum wrote, concerning Gradishar, "Maybe the smartest and most underrated ever. Had rare instincts, was faster than Lambert and very effective in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The fact he is not in the Hall of Fame is a shame and may be attributed to the fact he was a sure tackler but not a lights-out hitter or look-at-me type of player."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/NFL+Features/2002/linebackers1718.htm|title=Linebacker legends: PFW's personnel analyst lists his top linebackers of all time|work=[[Pro Football Weekly]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925122753/http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/NFL%2BFeatures/2002/linebackers1718.htm|archive-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref> In 2006 was named by [[Riddell Sports Group, Inc.|Riddell]] author Jonathan Rand as one of the Top 25 linebackers of all-time.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yAk84QmWzrgC&q=%22randy+gradishar%22&pg=RA1-PR11|title=Riddell Presents the Gridiron's Greatest Linebackers|first=Jonathan|last=Rand | isbn=978-1-58261-625-4 | year=2003 | publisher=Sports Publishing LLC}}</ref>

''Pro Football Weekly'' published these comments collected from NFL scouts, "Superior diagnostician with exceptional strength, balance, tackling form and very good lateral mobility. Not as flashy or brutal as some ILBs but means almost as much to Denver's defense as [[Walter Payton]] does to Chicago's offense" and "Is most dominant defender in AFC when healthy. Although not as brutal as Butkus or [[Bill Bergey|Bergey]], he's strong at the point of attack, does a superb job of playing off blocks and getting to the ball, gets good depth on his pass drops and is consistently excellent"<ref name="Fact sheet">[http://phillong.squarespace.com/2004-fact-sheet/ Fact Sheet] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716123258/http://phillong.squarespace.com/2004-fact-sheet/ |date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref>

[[Zander Hollander]], who wrote ''The Complete Handbook of Pro Football'', said about Gradishar, "Not as nasty as Butkus, doesn't snarl like Lambert, but Gradishar makes all the plays. Hey, he can hit, too. Just ask [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]]' [[Henry Childs]], after Gradishar knocked his helmet off, "It was the first in my career like that, in the open field". Gradishar's hitting ability was a sentiment echoed in Rick Korch's book, ''The Truly Great''. In it, [[Tony Dorsett]] recalled the hit Gradishar gave him in a 1980 game, "I ran a pass pattern and was wide open but [[Danny White]] did not see me. I go back to the huddle and tell Danny that I am wide open. I ran the same route again but this time I was almost decapitated. My eyes were only partially open when I hit the ground. Trainers and doctors came running onto the field. They thought I was dead. Hey, I thought I was dead, too." Hall of Fame defensive lineman [[Dan Hampton]] remembers asking [[Walter Payton]], "Walter, who gave you the hardest hit you ever took in the NFL?". According to Hampton, Payton replied, "Randy Gradishar, 1978". In 1981 [[SPORT magazine|''SPORT'' magazine]] named Gradishar one of the Top 5 hardest hitters in the NFL, quoting the modest Gradishar, "The chance for a real good shot comes very seldom, but when it's there I take full advantage of it".<ref name="Fact sheet" />

[[NFL Films]]' [[Steve Sabol]] said this about Gradishar, "His range separated him from others at his position. A sure and determined tackler, he was also an excellent pass defender. He had special qualities in terms of intelligence, preparation and athletic ability. His "play anticipation" was the best in football. He had a great ability to square his body into the ball carrier at the moment of impact; which made him an incredible performer on third or fourth and short."<ref name=quotesPL /> [[Detroit Lions]] General Manager and fellow inside linebacker [[Matt Millen]] added, "Randy Gradishar was one of the most productive players I've watched. He was always around the ball, rarely out of position, and constantly making plays. Linebackers are difficult to evaluate because there is a lack of statistics. But someone like a Randy Gradishar was easy to judge because of what he produced."<ref name=quotesPL /> Additionally, Joe DeLamielleure, the Hall of Fame guard of the Bills said that "Randy was a great linebacker, and he certainly belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was tough, smart, and played every down all out. I can tell you he was very tough to catch."<ref name=quotesPL />

Mike Giddings of Proscout, Inc., added that "Gradishar could cover the "Y" flat on a weakside linebacker blitzed. In recent times only Gradishar and Lambert could do that". Additionally, coach Joe Collier would have a unique coverage on a strong-side blitz in which Gradishar, the right inside linebacker would be responsible to cover the tight end, man-to-man, on any "up" route in the "seam", which would be on the opposite side of the formation. To do so he would have to take the exact angle to get proper depth while going across the field and an angle, according to Giddings, Gradishar "could, and did".<ref name=quotesPL />

In January 2008, he was voted by a panel of former NFL players and coaches to ''Pro Football Weekly''{{'}}s All-Time 3-4 defensive team along with [[Harry Carson]], [[Lawrence Taylor]], [[Andre Tippett]], [[Howie Long]], [[Lee Roy Selmon]], and [[Curley Culp]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/PFW+Online/Volume+22+-+2007/Issue29_view.htm|title=Volume 22 Issue 29|work=[[Pro Football Weekly]]}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Gradishar retired after the [[1983 NFL season|1983 season]], finishing his career with the NFL record for most tackles all time with 2,049, and 20 interceptions, which he returned for 335 yards and three touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 72 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded 20 sacks according to Bronco team records.<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=272 Randy Gradishar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119011551/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=272 |date=January 19, 2008 }}, [[Professional Football Hall of Fame]].</ref>

After his retirement, Gradishar was nominated for the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] multiple times, was not enshrined until 2024. He was among the 15 finalists in 2003 and 2008, and made the top 25 list in 2005 and 2007. The closest he came to induction prior to 2024 was the day before the [[Super Bowl XXXVII|2003 Super Bowl]], when he made it to list of final ten.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://starbulletin.com/2003/01/26/sports/story1.html|title=Allen heads list of newly inducted legends|work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]|access-date=November 7, 2007|archive-date=December 30, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041230112144/http://starbulletin.com/2003/01/26/sports/story1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://cgi.cnnsi.com/inside_game/dr_z/news/2003/01/29/drz_insider/|title=West Coast offensive: Super Bowl trip featured fine food, company and coaching|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207090039/http://cgi.cnnsi.com/inside_game/dr_z/news/2003/01/29/drz_insider/|archive-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref> In August 2023, Gradishar, along with [[Art Powell (wide receiver)|Art Powell]] and [[Steve McMichael]], was selected as a senior finalist to the Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.<ref name="SeniorNominees">{{cite web |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2023/seniors-gradishar,-mcmichael,-powell-selected-as-finalists-for-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024/|title=Seniors Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael, Art Powell selected as finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024|date=August 23, 2023|access-date=August 23, 2023}}</ref> On February 8, 2024, Gradishar was officially selected for induction,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2024/02/pro-football-hall-of-fame-to-enshrine-seven-in-class-of-2024/ |title=Pro Football Hall of Fame to enshrine seven in Class of 2024 |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |date=February 8, 2024 |access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref> becoming the first member of the [[1977 Denver Broncos season|1977 Denver Broncos]] to be selected to the Hall of Fame.<ref name="SeniorNominees"/>

Gradishar was inducted to the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1989 and into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.<ref>[http://www.coloradosports.org/themuseum.cfm History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301155121/http://www.coloradosports.org/themuseum.cfm |date=March 1, 2007 }}, [[Colorado Sports Hall of Fame]].</ref> The [[Professional Football Researchers Association]] named Gradishar to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2008.htm |title=Hall of Very Good Class of 2008 |access-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003064700/http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2008.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Post-NFL activities==
*Has made several trips to the [[Middle East]], visiting troops in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]], as well as visiting [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kuwait]], [[Bahrain]], [[Saudi Arabia]], the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Qatar]].<ref>[http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=2415 Gradishar Visits Troops in Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070604040757/http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=2415 |date=June 4, 2007 }}, DenverBroncos.com.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/05/07/story11.html|title=Randy Gradishar, other NFL alumni visit troops abroad|work=[[Denver Business Journal]]|publisher=[[Advance Publications#American City Business Journals|American City Business Journals]]|date=May 6, 2007}}</ref><ref>[http://www.komencs.org/StarsTeams.aspx Celebrity Teams] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325003136/http://www.komencs.org/StarsTeams.aspx |date=March 25, 2008 }}, [[Susan G. Komen for the Cure]]</ref>
*Was president of the Denver Broncos Youth Foundation from 1982 to 1992<ref>[http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=838 Randy Gradishar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608011501/http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=838 |date=June 8, 2007 }}, DenverBroncos.com.</ref>
*Served on the NFL Players Special Advisory Council from 1992 to 1995.<ref name="Post-NFL">[http://phillong.squarespace.com/randy-gradishars-post-nfl-high/ Randy Gradishar's Post-NFL] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007022519/http://phillong.squarespace.com/randy-gradishars-post-nfl-high/ |date=October 7, 2009 }}</ref>
*Currently the Corporate Communications Ambassador for the Phil Long car dealerships in [[Colorado]].<ref>[http://phillong.squarespace.com/randy-gradishar-visits-troops-/ Gradishar Visits Troops] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716123209/http://phillong.squarespace.com/randy-gradishar-visits-troops-/ |date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref>
*Has a left [[ring finger]] shaped like the number "7".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6781441|title=Price of playing the game|work=[[The Denver Post]] | first=Jim|last=Armstrong|date=September 2, 2007}}</ref>
*Was sympathetic to college coach [[Woody Hayes]] when he punched a player in the [[1978 Gator Bowl]]. Gradishar knew Hayes would be fired but stated publicly that "We all go off the deep end sometimes. Woody just happened to do it in front of millions of people." Gradishar emphasized the positive aspects of Hayes: "Every time you talked to him, it was, 'How are you doing in school, when are you going to graduate, are you going to be a doctor or a lawyer?{{' "}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cincypost.com/2003/12/30/hayes12-30-2003.html|title=Punch tarnished Hayes' career|first=Chris|last=Dufresne|work=[[The Cincinnati Post]] ([[Los Angeles Times]])|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]|date=December 30, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127212006/http://www.cincypost.com/2003/12/30/hayes12-30-2003.html|archive-date=January 27, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Worked with [[Promise Keepers]] in Denver from 1994–97.<ref name="Post-NFL" />
*Participated in the '''[[Susan G. Komen for the Cure]]''' celebrity race to raise awareness and funds for research into curing [[breast cancer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.krdotv.com/Global/story.asp?s=6992835|title=Broncos Legend a Big Supporter of Race for the Cure|work=[[KDRO-TV]]|access-date=November 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912004747/http://www.krdotv.com/Global/story.asp?s=6992835|archive-date=September 12, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Serves as an Honorary Chair for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.<ref>[http://www.komencs.org/HonoraryChairs.aspx 2008 Honorary Chairs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011123258/http://www.komencs.org/HonoraryChairs.aspx |date=October 11, 2008 }}, Susan G. Komen for the Cure.</ref>
*Is president of the Phil Long Community Fund, a non-profit organization that provides financial resources to help champion self-esteem and the leadership of young people through excellence in education, sports, and recreation.<ref name="Post-NFL" />
*Known for wearing a rare [[Riddell Sports Group, Inc.|Riddell]] mask that ''Helmet Hut'' expert Dr. DelRye thought was one of the few Riddell models that "looked cool".<ref>[http://www.helmethut.com/011305.html Letters], Helmet Hut.</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{commonscatinline}}

{{1972 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1973 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1974 NFL Draft}}
{{BroncosFirstPick}}
{{Broncos1974DraftPicks}}
{{NFL DPOYs}}
{{Broncos50th}}
{{Denver Broncos Ring of Honor}}
{{2024 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gradishar, Randy}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Warren, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from the Denver metropolitan area]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos players]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Promise Keepers]]
[[Category:American people of Slovenian descent]]
[[Category:NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]