Tag: Randy Gradishar

Broncos honor Randy Gradishar, add 2 players to Ring of Fame during Raiders game

The Broncos honored Randy Gradishar, Steve Foley, Riley Odoms and the 1977 team against the Raiders on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos are throwing it back to 1977 for their AFC West showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders today.

In addition to wearing their beautiful throwback uniform, the Broncos painted their field to appear as it did against the Raiders in the 1977 AFC Championship game, and they updated their scoreboards and stadium signage to reflect the throwback design.

Denver is also playing 1970s-inspired music to complete the throwback atmosphere, and there was a nod to “Back to the Future” outside the stadium.

Before the game, the Broncos unveiled the Ring of Fame pillars for new Ring of Fame members safety Steve Foley and tight end Riley Odoms.

Denver also honored linebacker Randy Gradishar for his recent enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame before Sunday’s game.

At halftime, Foley and Odoms were officially recognized as the newest members of the team’s Ring of Fame. The Broncos also honored the 1977 team that reached the first Super Bowl in franchise history at halftime.

More than 120 former Denver players returned to Empower Field at Mile High as part of the team’s Alumni Weekend festivities.

“I’m just glad that they’re coming out and getting a chance to be honored,” coach Sean Payton said on Friday. “I think what Carrie [Walton Penner] and Greg [Penner] have done to embrace our history, not only in the building… If you went through the hallways this offseason, here’s the tight ends room and here are the [photographs of former Broncos] tight ends. It’s pretty impressive, and I know how important it is to our ownership, and I know how important it is to me. … I’m excited for those that are obviously getting honored, and then also those that can enjoy and be back for that experience.”

F1 driver and team co-owner Lewis Hamilton also attended Saturday’s walk-through practice.

To complete the throwback, the Broncos will need to beat the Raiders, just like they did in the 1977 AFC Championship game (20-17).

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Karl Mecklenburg among former Broncos nominated for Hall of Fame

Karl Mecklenburg headlines the list of former Broncos players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2025 class.

Following the enshrinement of senior candidate Randy Gradishar this year, 11 more Denver Broncos legends are now candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame announced 183 senior nominees for the 2025 class on Tuesday and do-it-all-defender Karl Mecklenburg is joined by linebacker Tom Jackson, safety Dennis Smith, wide receiver Lionel Taylor, returner Rick Upchurch, cornerback Louis Wright, receiver Bob Scarpitto, defensive lineman Michael Dean Perry, running back Sammy Winder, defensive lineman Lyle Alzado and defensive end Rich Jackson on the ballot.

Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is also expected to be a candidate once again this year in the coach category. Shanahan’s chances of getting in might be improved now that coach and contributor categories have been separated.

As for senior players, Mecklenburg, Jackson, Smith, Taylor, Upchurch and Wright all have impressive resumes and they are all members of the Broncos Ring of Fame. Because he was a versatile playmaker in Denver’s 3-4 defense, Mecklenberg might have the best chance to get in among the team’s senior candidates.

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Randy Gradishar finally receives his Hall of Fame jacket

Gradishar is the first member of the “Orange Crush” to be honored in the Hall of Fame.

It has been 35 years in the making, but the first member of the famed “Orange Crush” defense received his Hall of Fame gold jacket.

Randy Gradishar received his long-awaited turn to put on his gold jacket in Canton, Ohio, prior to his enshrinement speech on Saturday at 12:00 pm.

Fellow Hall of Fame Broncos defender Steve Atwater presented Gradishar with his jacket in front of family and friends. After putting on his jacket, Gradishar was embraced by his family, and his presenter for the Hall of Fame, Tom Jackson.

Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1974-1983, as the anchor man of the famous “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970’s, when Denver went to its first Super Bowl in 1977.

Gradishar is one of at least a dozen “true” Broncos who have been enshrined in the walls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and there is hope on the horizon for more former players and coaches to get “The Knock.”

How to watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Here’s how you can watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony:

A Carolina Panthers icon is less than 24 hours away from solidifying his legacy.

Tomorrow, Julius Peppers officially takes his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And in case you need the rundown on how to tune in, we’ve got you covered . . .

Date: Saturday, Aug. 3
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio
Television: ESPN, NFL Network
Stream: Fubo

The order of the enshrinements is as follows:

  • Dwight Freeney | Presenter: Jim Irsay (Colts owner)
  • Steve McMichael | Presenter: Jarrett Payton (Walter Payton’s son)
  • Randy Gradishar | Presenter: Tom Jackson (former Broncos LB)
  • Devin Hester | Presenter: Juanita Brown (Hester’s mother)
  • Patrick Willis | Presenter: Ernicka Willis (Wills’ sister)
  • Julius Peppers | Presenter: Carl Carey (Peppers’ agent)
  • Andre Johnson | Presenter: Gary Kubiak (former Texans HC)

Peppers will be the fifth individual with Panthers ties to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’ll join Reggie White (2006), Bill Polian (2015), Kevin Greene (2016) and Sam Mills (2022).

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Randy Gradishar speaks on the personal significance of 2024 Enshrinement Week

Denver Broncos legend Randy Gradishar is anxiously awaiting his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Denver Bronco and current Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Randy Gradishar recently spoke out about the significance of the 2024 Enshrinement Week on deck in Canton.

“It’s very exciting for sure,” Gradishar told media members in Denver earlier this week. “I’m very nervous and just getting ready from getting there — we’ll be leaving on Wednesday. Once we’re there, they [have] you going 12, 14 hours a day doing all kinds of different things. Getting ready for the game, getting ready for your speech and all those kinds of different things along with trying to say hello to some of your friends and family.

“It’s going to be an exciting time and it’s exciting for me because I’m from the area — born and raised in Warren Champion, Ohio, which is about 40 miles from Akron and Canton. I always passed it when I went down to Ohio State. I always went through Akron and Canton. [I’m] looking forward to that and looking forward to finding out how many more Buckeyes are still there.”

Gradishar hung up his cleats in 1983, and he had a long wait to reach Canton. Fittingly, the number of years he waited to reach the Hall of Fame have a connection to his jersey number.

“I asked the Lord — I said why does it take 35 years for this, and I turned it around and it was ‘53,’ my number,” Gradishar said. “It took 35 years for whatever reason in order for me to be chosen to come into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Prior to his election, Gradishar’s Hall of Fame resume was reminiscent of several current Hall of Famers, such as Chuck Bednarik, Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis.

Gradishar is the first member of the famed “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970s to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Gradishar shared his elation that he was the first member of the unit to be inducted, and the hope that others will follow.

“Finally, the ‘Orange Crush’ is being recognized and I hope through my induction that other guys here in the near future — their names will be coming up and they will be able to have the opportunity to possibly be nominated and come in as a part of that ‘Orange Crush’ defense.”

Gradishar will be presented by fellow Broncos Ring of Famer Tom Jackson.

The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will take place on Aug. 3.

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WATCH: Broncos great Randy Gradishar receives Hall of Fame jacket

Broncos legendary linebacker Randy Gradishar has his gold jacket ready for his Hall of Fame enshrinement next month.

The anticipation continues to build for former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar until his official enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

One of the most important pieces prior to Enshrinement Week has fallen into place, as Gradishar has received his famous gold jacket, made by Haggar Co.

When Gradishar opened his jacket box and read the inscription inside, his excitement was clear.

Gradishar took his jacket out of the box, he immediately wanted to try it on, before looking on the inside. He exclaimed, “My name’s on it! My name’s in here!”

After several excruciating years of being snubbed by the Hall of Fame Senior Committee, Gradishar was finally selected for induction into the Hall of Fame in February.

Following his election into the Hall of Fame, Gradishar was part of several large events, both personally and with the Denver franchise. May 3rd was declared “Randy Gradishar Day” by Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Gradishar was a focal point in helping unveil the Broncos’ new throwback jerseys in April.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week begins Aug. 1 and continues through Aug. 4.

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Gary Kubiak and Tom Jackson will serve as presenters for 2024 Hall of Fame class

Tom Jackson (Randy Gradishar) and Gary Kubiak (Andre Johnson) will serve as presenters for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend will be dotted with former Denver Broncos.

Former linebacker and anchor of the “Orange Crush” defense Randy Gradishar will be presented in Canton by teammate Tom Jackson, as Broncos Wire has previously noted.

In a press release issued by the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this week, it was revealed that there will be another former Bronco in August. Former Houston Texans and Denver head coach Gary Kubiak will be presenting wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Kubiak was a backup to Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway from 1983-1991, and was the offensive coordinator for the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII teams. Kubiak also coached the Broncos to their third Super Bowl title in 2015 before stepping down in 2017.

The Hall of Fame Game featuring the Texans and Chicago Bears will kick off festivities in Canton this summer on Aug. 1, followed by a gold jacket dinner for the 2024 class on Aug. 2 and an enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 3.

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Broncos likely to wear throwback uniform vs. Raiders in Week 5

The Broncos are expected to wear their iconic throwback uniform when they honor their 1977 team against the Raiders in Week 5.

The Denver Broncos have not yet announced their uniform schedule for the 2024 NFL season, but one game’s uniform set is easy to predict.

The Broncos are set to host the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 5. The team will add safety Steve Foley and tight end Riley Odoms to their Ring of Fame at halftime of that game and linebacker Randy Gradishar will be recognized for his Pro Football Hall of Fame nod.

Additionally, the entire 1977 team will be invited to Alumni Weekend so Denver can honor the squad that reached the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Given that the Broncos dubbed their throwbacks “the ‘77 classics” in April, it seems safe to assume that uniform will be worn against the Raiders in Week 5.

It’s a perfect game to debut the throwback look because the Raiders are one of Denver’s oldest rivals dating back to the launch of the AFL in 1960.

So mark your calendars, Broncos fans. The throwback uniform is expected to make its debut on Sunday, Oct. 6.

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Broncos will honor 1977 team in Week 5 vs. Raiders

The Broncos are set to honor Randy Gradishar, Steve Foley, Riley Odoms and the entire 1977 team when they host the Raiders in Week 5.

After electing safety Steve Foley and tight end Riley Odoms to their Ring of Fame on Thursday, the Denver Broncos announced that the entire 1977 team will be recognized at halftime of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.

In addition to unveiling steel pillars for Foley and Odoms in Week 5, the Broncos will also honor linebacker Randy Gradishar, who is set to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Gradishar, Foley and Odoms were key members of the 1977 team that helped the Broncos reach their first Super Bowl that season. Denver ultimately lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10 in Super Bowl XII, but that 1977 squad was the first in franchise history to reach the NFL’s title game.

Gradishar, Foley and Odoms — and the entire 1977 team — will be invited to Empower Field at Mile High as part of Alumni Weekend to be honored against the Raiders on Oct. 6.

When the Broncos unveiled their throwback uniform earlier this year, they dubbed it the “1977 classic.” Given that designation and the team’s historic rivalry against the Raiders, it seems safe to assume Denver will break out that throwback uniform for the first time in Week 5.

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Randy Gradishar was the best player to wear No. 53 for the Broncos

Randy Gradishar led the Broncos’ famous “Orange Crush” defense in the 1970s. The seven-time Pro Bowler is a member of the 2024 HOF class.

Randy Graishar was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 53 for the Denver Broncos.

After playing college football at Ohio State, Gradishar was picked by the Broncos in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft. He went on to spend his entire 10-year career in Denver.

A seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Gradishar led the famous “Orange Crush” defense that helped the Broncos reach their first Super Bowl in 1977. He won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award the following season and also got votes for DPOY in 1977, 1979 and 1983.

Denver credits Gradishar with 2,049 career tackles, 20 interceptions, 19.5 sacks and 13 fumble recoveries in 145 career games. He also scored four touchdowns (three on interception returns and one on a fumble return).

Gradishar was elected to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Broncos’ Ring of Fame in 1989. Earlier this year, Gradishar was named a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class as a senior candidate. He will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio this summer.

Shout out to Randy Gradishar, the best player to wear No. 53 in Denver.

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