2024 Hall of Fame: Randy Gradishar, ‘Orange Crush’ star, laid foundation for great Denver defenses to come

Linebacker Randy Gradishar was the headliner on the Denver Broncos’ famed “Orange Crush” defense. (Getty Images)

Before star linebackers like Von Miller and Karl Mecklenburg suited up to be anchors of the Denver Broncos defense, there was Randy Gradishar.

Known as the heart and soul of the famed “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970s and early ’80s Broncos, Gradishar was a dominant force in his 10 seasons with Denver. The linebacker was known for his ability to read plays quickly and react appropriately, which helped him become one of the game’s premier tacklers.

By the end of his career, Gradishar earned seven Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors. Similarly, when he retired in 1983, he held multiple 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, never fooled and [was] a fantastic tackler,” Steve Foley, former Broncos safety and Gradishar’s teammate said in a documentary.

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Despite being an integral part of a historic Broncos defense and one of the best at his position, it took Gradishar quite a while before making it into the Hall of Fame. He was a modern era finalist in 2003 and 2008, but didn’t get the nod until this past February.

The delay may have come from the fact that when Gradishar began playing, statistics 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 span.

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

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-hall-of-fame-randy-gradishar-orange-crush-star-laid-foundation-for-great-denver-defenses-to-come-130055488.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-07-28 13:00:55

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