Randy Gradishar waited 35 years to receive one of the greatest honors in professional football.
That wait ended when the former Broncos linebacker was officially elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which was announced during the 13th annual NFL Honors in Las Vegas on Thursday night.
Gradishar is a part of the 2024 class that includes Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Steve McMichael, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will be Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio. Gradishar is the 16th Bronco to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and 14th who played multiple seasons with the franchise. He joins the likes of safety Steve Atwater, cornerback Champ Bailey and quarterbacks John Elway and Peyton Manning.
Gradishar was a centerpiece of the Orange Crush defense. During his 10 seasons with the Broncos, Gradishar was a seven-time Pro Bowler and named All-Pro six times. Gradishar, the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year, is the Broncos’ all-time leader in career tackles with 2,049 and one of 10 linebackers in NFL history with seven Pro Bowl selections, 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.
Gradishar, who was selected by the Broncos with the 14th overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft, was a two-time All-American at Ohio State. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Broncos Ring of Fame and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
Last August Gradishar, along with defensive tackle Steve McMichael and wide receiver Art Powell, were named Seniors Committee finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.
As the final step in his election, Gradishar needed 80% of the voting group to approve his inclusion in the Hall of Fame, which they did in a January meeting. The step is often considered a formality, but Powell was left out this year after not meeting that threshold. It was the first time that happened since 2017.
Gradishar said his jaw dropped when he received the news in August. He was a modern-era finalist in 2003 and 2008 as well as a Seniors Committee semifinalist in 2020, but came up short.
Now, he will finally get to put on the yellow jacket.
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