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Which Denver Broncos Should Be in the Hall of Fame Next

By Tylor Walden

22 Nov 1998: Running back Terrell Davis #30 of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
22 Nov 1998: Running back Terrell Davis #30 of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 06: Denver Broncos helmets sit on the bench during their game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on December 6, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 06: Denver Broncos helmets sit on the bench during their game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on December 6, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Randy Gradishar

Written by: Ty Walden (Co-Editor)

There are not a lot of Denver Broncos in the Hall of Fame. It is nice that the team is getting recognition with the enshrinement of Terrell Davis. However, the Denver Broncos do not have a single player on the defensive side of the football in the Hall of Fame. There are quite a few players, especially in the Orange Crush defense that deserve to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio soon.

One of those defensive players that deserves to be there is Randy Gradishar. He played for the Denver Broncos during the Orange Crush years. From 1974 to 1983, Gradishar was one of the most feared linebackers during this time.

His main responsibilities included stopping the run and limiting the lanes in which anyone carrying the ball would have difficulty getting past him. During his ten years with the Denver Broncos, he recorded numbers and earned rewards that have a lot wondering why he has yet to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame after retiring back after the 1983 season.

His numbers include 4.5 sacks, 20 interceptions, and four touchdowns. In today’s NFL, those numbers may not seem like much. But back then, those numbers were quite phenomenal. If you do not think that is enough, look at what those numbers did for Randy Gradishar.

Gradishar has been named to seven Pro Bowls. Twice he has been named first team All-Pro and another four times was second team. Seven times was named an All-AFC Selection. And here is the big one. Randy Gradishar was named the 1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Yes, while he never did win a Super Bowl during his time with the Denver Broncos, he showed time in and time out why his play and his performance has, in my opinion, earned him the recognition to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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