Hall of Fame 2024: ‘Orange Crush’ star Randy Gradishar laid the foundation for Denver’s great defense

Before star players like Von Miller and Karl Mecklenburg joined the Denver Broncos defense, there was Randy Gradishar.

Known as the heart and soul of the Broncos’ famed “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gradishar was a dominant force during his 10 seasons with Denver. The linebacker was known for his ability to quickly read plays and react appropriately, which helped him become one of the game’s best tacklers.

By the end of his career, Gradishar had earned seven Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors. When he retired in 1983, he also held several Broncos records, including the longest interception return of 93 yards against Cleveland in 1980.

“He was always in the right place. He always knew where the ball was going, he was never fooled and (was) “A fantastic tackler,” said Steve Foley, former Broncos safety and Gradishar’s teammate, in a documentary.

Despite being an integral part of a historic Broncos defense and one of the best at his position, Gradishar took a while to get into the Hall of Fame. He was a finalist for the modern era in 2003 and 2008, but wasn’t approved until February.

The delay may have occurred because when Gradishar began playing, stats such as tackles and sacks were not official. As a result, longtime Denver defensive coordinator Joe Collier calculated each of Gradishar’s 2,049 total tackles, including assists, over a 10-year period.

“Some people have tried to say those tackle stats were inflated, but I can assure you they were not,” Collier told denverbroncos.com in 2020. “I personally watched every inch of the film over and over again; I kept those stats myself and they were legit.”

Before his Hall of Fame career, Gradishar came from humble beginnings. He grew up in Champion, Ohio, as a grocery clerk for his father’s store. Gradishar started working there when he was 11 years old and didn’t start playing football until he was in the ninth grade, opting instead for basketball.

Gradishar excelled in football during his high school years. His high school coach sent his highlight tape to Ohio State and Gradishar soon became a Buckeye.

The linebacker continued to dominate in college. Gradishar was a three-year starter for Ohio State and also a two-time All-American. In his final season, he helped the Buckeyes to an undefeated season in 1973, including a Rose Bowl victory. Legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes called Gradishar the best linebacker he ever coached.

Following that standout season, the Broncos selected Gradishar with the 14th pick in the 1974 NFL Draft. The rookie made an immediate impression and was named a starter midway through the season.

“Randy just came in with the responsibility of taking over this veteran group,” Gradishar’s former teammate Tom Jackson said. “We all saw how hard he trained, watched his leadership, you could feel it. We were like, ‘OK, lead us.’”

One of Gradishar’s signature moments came during the 1975 season against the Green Bay Packers. In a “Monday Night Football” game, the sophomore star caught a game-sealing pick-6.

That same season, Gradishar became the full-time starter and made his first Pro Bowl. Two years later, the Broncos began to see postseason success behind Gradishar and the rest of the Orange Crush defense.

During the 1977 season, the Broncos went 12-2, winning the AFC championship and appearing in the Super Bowl against the Dallas Cowboys, which they eventually lost.

Gradishar in particular was another standout, earning his first All-Pro honor of his career, along with another Pro Bowl appearance and Defensive Player of the Year consideration. He had five tackles, three assists and one pass defensed in the Super Bowl.

The following season, in 1978, Gradishar won the long-awaited Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first Bronco to receive such an honor.

Gradishar’s long career was also impressive, with him being named a second-team All-Pro in his final season and making his final Pro Bowl selection at age 31.

In his career, Gradishar is one of only 10 linebackers with at least seven Pro Bowls, 20 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. The list of others includes Ray Lewis, Ted Hendricks and Brian Urlacher, all Hall of Famers.

“I think my greatest achievement would be my football career,” Gradishar said in the documentary “Randy Gradishar: The Heart and Soul of the Orange Crush.”

“I believe I am blessed with athletic ability. I certainly didn’t know that, but the mentors that came into my life showed me that.”