Tag: Randy Gradishar

Broncos unveil new throwback uniforms with brilliant hype video

The Broncos unveiled “Orange Crush” throwback uniforms with a brilliant hype video on Monday.

The most-anticipated jersey the Denver Broncos released on Monday was their 1977-inspired throwback uniform. The helmet design for the uniform and the overall design of the uniform itself had been a team staple from the late 1960s to 1996. This uniform made it to four Super Bowls before the previously established uniforms took over in 1997.

The team unveiled the uniform with a brilliant hype video:

In the video, Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain drives a modern Ford Bronco to a store with the old “D” logo above the door. Surtain walks in, and it looks as if he goes back in time, as he looks out the window of the store and his car is transformed into a 1970s-era Bronco. Surtain picks a jersey off a rack of clothes as a darkened storekeeper asks if he can help Surtain out.

Surtain brings the jersey to the counter and asks if the storekeeper has something to go with the jersey. The storekeeper looks to Surtain, and the cashier’s identity is now revealed to be Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Randy Gradishar. Gradishar tells Surtain he has something for him, and pulls out the powder blue “D” helmet, and tells him, “You’ve been waiting for this.”

The blend between Gradishar and Surtain is an homage to the “Orange Crush” era, which popularized and endeared this jersey into the hearts of Broncos Country forever. Well done, Broncos. Well done.

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Broncos won’t play in NFL’s Hall of Fame Game this summer

Broncos great Randy Gradishar will be enshrined in Canton this summer, but the Broncos won’t play in the Hall of Fame Game.

The Denver Broncos will have one former player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, but the team won’t be featured in the league’s annual Hall of Fame Game.

The Chicago Bears will face the Houston Texans in the the first game of the preseason on Thursday, Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio.

The Bears have three players — return specialist Devin Hester, defensive lineman Steve McMichael and pass rusher Julius Peppers — set to be enshrined. The Texans, meanwhile, have wide receiver Andre Johnson as the franchise’s first-ever Hall of Famer.

After the Hall of Fame Game, the 2024 class will be enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 3. Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was elected to this year’s class as a senior candidate.

Denver played the Atlanta Falcons in the Hall of Fame Game in 2019, kicking off the preseason with a 14-10 win. This year, the Broncos will have a set of three preseason games beginning the week of Aug. 5.

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Tom Jackson will present Randy Gradishar at Hall of Fame induction

Former Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson will present Randy Gradishar at his Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in August.

When it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the inductee’s speech itself becomes secondary, after choosing the person who will present them prior to their bust unveiling.

This time around, the “Orange Crush” defensive anchorman, Randy Gradishar, has chosen former Denver Bronco linebacker and Ring of Famer Tom Jackson to present him.

Jackson and Gradishar were Broncos teammates from 1973-1983, and recently, Jackson has become a major voice for Gradishar’s induction.

It has been a special time for former Broncos defensive members. Gradishar received “The Knock” from fellow Hall of Fame defensive star Steve Atwater, who was enshrined in Canton in 2021 (as part of the delayed 2020 class).

Gradishar is the latest, but hopefully not last, Bronco to be inducted into the halls of Canton.

Here are the previous presenters from other Denver Hall of Famers:

  • John Lynch – Jake Lynch, son and Herm Edwards, coach
  • Peyton Manning – Archie Manning, father
  • Steve Atwater – Dennis Smith, Broncos teammate
  • Champ Bailey – Jack Reale, Champ’s agent
  • Pat Bowlen – Steve “Greek” Antonopulos, longtime Broncos trainer
  • Brian Dawkins – Troy Vincent, friend and former teammate
  • Terrell Davis – Neil Schwartz, Terrell’s agent & friend
  • Shannon Sharpe — Sterling Sharpe, Shannon’s brother & former Green Bay Packers wide receiver
  • Floyd Little  — Marc Little, Floyd’s son
  • Gary Zimmerman — Pat Bowlen, Denver Broncos President & CEO
  • John Elway — Jessica Elway, John’s daughter

The 2024 class will be enshrined in Canton on Saturday, Aug. 3.

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Former Ohio State linebacker finally elected to NFL Hall of Fame

In case you missed it, an honor long overdue. #GoBucks

Former Ohio State linebacker, Randy Gradishar, has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gradishar played his ten-year career with the Denver Broncos and was a key piece of the “Orange Crush” defense that carried the Broncos to Super Bowl XII while being named the 1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

An Ohio native, Gradishar played for Ohio State from 1971 to 1973 under Woody Hayes, who at one time called him the “greatest linebacker I’ve ever coached.” Gradishar was named an All-American twice and finished sixth in the Heisman voting in 1973 while playing for the Buckeyes. He was already a member of the Ohio State and College Football Hall of Fame and now he can add NFL Hall of Famer.

Gradishar was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 1974 NFL draft by the Broncos.  He was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times and was an All-Pro five times.

Gradishar will become the 11th former Buckeye to be enshrined in Canton joining, Cris Carter, Sid Gillman, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, Dick LeBeau, Orlando Pace, Jim Parker, Ed Sabol, Paul Warfield, and Bill Willis.

The honor is well deserved and long overdue. Gradishar is the Bronco’s all-time leading tackler with 2,049 tackles. He also amassed 20 interceptions, 19.5 sacks, 13 fumble recovers, and four defensive touchdowns.

The Hall of Fame induction will take place on August 3 in Canton, Ohio.

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Greg Penner comments on Randy Gradishar’s Hall of Fame nod

“Randy is one of the most impactful figures in Broncos history and one of the greatest linebackers of all-time,” Greg Penner said.

Denver Broncos legendary linebacker Randy Gradishar has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class, a long overdue honor.

After the news of Gradishar’s election was announced on Thursday evening, Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner released the following statement:

We join all of Broncos Country in congratulating Randy Gradishar on becoming the newest Denver Bronco elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Without question, Randy is one of the most impactful figures in Broncos history and one of the greatest linebackers of all-time. The iconic ‘Orange Crush’ will now finally have its first Hall of Famer, and there could not be a better representative of our first Super Bowl team and this organization than Randy.

Carrie and I were honored to be part of Randy’s ‘Knock on the Door’ surprise a few weeks ago. He has waited nearly 40 years for this moment, and we are excited to celebrate Randy this summer as he takes his well-deserved place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gradishar, a seven-time Pro Bowler, played for the Broncos from 1974-1983. He remains the only player in franchise history who has ever won Defensive Player of the Year (1978). Unofficially, Gradishar is also the team’s all-time leader in tackles with 2,049 (although the NFL did not officially track that stat).

The talented linebacker totaled 19.5 sacks, 20 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries and four defensive touchdowns during his 10-year career. Gradishar will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 3.

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2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael

The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael.

The NFL has announced the men who will find themselves enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2024 class. In total, five finalists made it from the active class, and two from the senior group.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

View all of the Broncos players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

After adding Randy Gradishar, how many former Broncos are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame now? Here’s the full list.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was announced as a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Thursday night.

So, how many players do the Broncos have in the Hall of Fame now? That depends on who you believe qualifies for the count.

There are obvious players — running back Floyd Little, quarterback John Elway, safety Steve Atwater, tight end Shanahan Sharpe, offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Terrell Davis and cornerback Champ Bailey are obvious Broncos Hall of Famers. That’s seven.

Quarterback Peyton Manning only played four years in Denver, but he won the AFC West in all four seasons and won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos. That’s eight. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, but he won his ring in Denver. Nine.

John Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he, like Manning, played the final four years of his career with the Broncos — and he’s a member of the team’s Ring of Fame. Ten.

So Gradishar is essentially the 11th Denver player to reach Canton. There are others, though. Safety Brian Dawkins played three seasons with the Broncos. Cornerback Willie Brown played four seasons in Denver before a 12-year stint with the Oakland Raiders. Running back Tony Dorsett and cornerback Ty Law also spent one season each with the Broncos.

Additionally, late team owner Pat Bowlen was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019. So there are at least a dozen members of the Hall of Fame who Broncos fans can claim as their own. Up next should be former coach Mike Shanahan, who was snubbed again by voters in 2023.

Here’s a quick list of every former Bronco in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Twitter reacts to Randy Gradishar being elected to Hall of Fame

Broncos great Randy Gradishar is finally going to the Hall of Fame! Here’s how Twitter/X reacted to the news 🙌

Finally!

After years of waiting, former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar has finally been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class.

Here’s a sampling of how fans and pundits reacted to the news on Twitter/X.

Broncos great Randy Gradishar elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Randy Gradishar, the leader of the Broncos’ famous ‘Orange Crush’ defense, has finally been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

It’s long overdue but now finally official: Randy Gradishar is a Hall of Famer.

Gradishar has been elected as a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the league announced during NFL Honors on Thursday night.

A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, Gradishar was the leader of the Denver Broncos’ famous “Orange Crush” defense that led the team to their first Super Bowl (XII in 1977). One year later, Gradishar won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Broncos credit Gradishar with 2,049 career tackles, 19.5 sacks, 20 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries and four defensive touchdowns during his 10-year career in the NFL.

Gradishar was a finalist three other times before finally being elected as a senior candidate this year. He will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio in August.

He becomes the 10th* former Broncos player to reach Canton, joining RB Floyd Little, QB John Elway, DB Steve Atwater, TE Shannon Sharpe, OL Gary Zimmerman, RB Terrell Davis, CB Champ Bailey, QB Peyton Manning and OLB DeMarcus Ware. Late team owner Pat Bowlen is also in the Hall of Fame, as are a few *other players who spent time in Denver.

Gradishar, 71, is already a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. Now he’s a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.

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Making the case for 10 Broncos who should be in the Hall of Fame

Randy Gradishar appears to be on the verge of reaching the Hall of Fame, but these Broncos players continue to be overlooked by voters.

The Denver Broncos are represented by 10 former players and late former owner Pat Bowlen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and another former player will likely join them in Canton next year.

Former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was named a senior finalist for the Hall of Fame last August, and he seems likely to be elected as a member of the 2024 class in January. Even with Gradishar seemingly on the verge of getting in, though, Denver remains underrepresented in Canton.

Two months ago, 16 former Broncos were named among 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 Hall of Fame class. That list of nominees was narrowed down to a list of 25 semifinalists announced Tuesday and not a single Denver player made the cut.

Granted, many of the modern-era semifinalists this year are more than deserving — Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney and Devin Hester among them — but the Broncos also have many deserving players who have been overlooked for years, and they are now one more year removed from possible enshrinement.

Here’s a quick look at ten Denver representatives who should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.