43 Facts About Randy Gradishar

Randolph Charles Gradishar was born on March 3,1952 and is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League during the 1970s and 1980s.

Randy Gradishar is a 1970 graduate of Champion High School, Champion, Ohio.

Randy Gradishar holds the high school records for most blocked shots, single game rebounds, and most career rebounds.

In 2004, Randy Gradishar was inducted into the Champion High School Hall of Fame for Athletics.

Randy Gradishar was presented by his former high school coach, Al Carrino.

Randy Gradishar, who graduated with a degree in Distributive Education, was a three-year starter with the Ohio State University from 1971 to 1973.

Randy Gradishar made 134 tackles in his senior year, 60 of them solo, to lead the team.

Against Washington State in 1973, Randy Gradishar made 22 tackles, then the second most in a game in Ohio State history, and still stands as 9th best.

Randy Gradishar was a consensus First-team All-American in 1972 and a unanimous First-team selection in 1973.

Also in 1973, Randy Gradishar finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.

Randy Gradishar was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1983.

Randy Gradishar was elected to the GTE Academic Hall of Fame in 1992.

Randy Gradishar was selected to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000.

Randy Gradishar himself was named as the 8th best Ohio State player of all time.

Randy Gradishar made the list of the top 100 college football players of all time.

Randy Gradishar was drafted 14th overall in the 1974 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.

Randy Gradishar went on to spend 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos franchise.

Randy Gradishar played along with Tom Jackson as part of the Orange Crush Defense and is considered by some to be the greatest defensive player in Broncos history.

Randy Gradishar became a starter midway though his rookie season and was named to his first Pro Bowl after the 1975 season, his third in the NFL.

Randy Gradishar became nationally known in a 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 recording a sack, two tackles for loss and knocked down two passes and recorded six solo tackles.

Randy Gradishar was voted second-team All-AFC by United Press International.

In 1977, Randy Gradishar assisted the Broncos to Super Bowl XII, their very first.

Randy Gradishar earned Pro Bowl honors and was named first team All-Pro.

Randy Gradishar anchored a defense that led the AFC in fewest points allowed and gave up the 6th-fewest yards.

Randy Gradishar was voted the AFC Defensive Player of the Year by the Columbus Touchdown Club.

Randy Gradishar 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 George Halas Trophy for his efforts as the Broncos reached the playoffs for the second straight season.

Additionally, Randy Gradishar was the Football Digest NFL Linebacker of the year in 1978, an honor he repeated in 1979.

Randy Gradishar was named All-Pro and was voted the Broncos Most Valuable Player for the second time in three years.

Randy Gradishar had one of his best seasons as he was consensus All-Pro and All-AFC as well as being voted to the Pro Bowl.

Randy Gradishar was a leader without question of our defense while I was with Denver.

Randy Gradishar never missed a game and was a dominant force on the field.

Just ask Saints' Henry Childs, after Randy Gradishar knocked his helmet off, "It was the first in my career like that, in the open field".

Randy Gradishar's hitting ability was a sentiment echoed in Rick Korch's book, The Truly Great.

Randy Gradishar had special qualities in terms of intelligence, preparation and athletic ability.

Randy Gradishar 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.

Randy Gradishar was always around the ball, rarely out of position, and constantly making plays.

Randy Gradishar was tough, smart, and played every down all out.

Randy Gradishar retired after the 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.

Randy Gradishar recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 72 yards and one touchdown.

Randy Gradishar recorded 20 sacks according to Bronco team records.

Randy Gradishar was among the 15 finalists in 2003 and 2008, and made the top 25 list in 2005 and 2007.

On February 8,2024, Randy Gradishar was officially selected for induction, becoming the first member of the 1977 Denver Broncos to be selected to the Hall of Fame.

Randy Gradishar was inducted to the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1989 and into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.