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Denver Broncos: 5 legendary jersey numbers players have failed to live up to

By Travis Wakeman

Denver Bronco's tight end Shannon Sharpe celebrates after catching the game-winning 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs 06 December at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Denver rallied for two touchdowns in the final seven minutes for a 35-31 victory over Kansas City to extend their winning streak to 18 games, including last year's playoffs. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo by MARK LEFFINGWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Denver Bronco's tight end Shannon Sharpe celebrates after catching the game-winning 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs 06 December at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Denver rallied for two touchdowns in the final seven minutes for a 35-31 victory over Kansas City to extend their winning streak to 18 games, including last year's playoffs. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo by MARK LEFFINGWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 4: Randy Gradishar #52 and Larry Riley #26 of the Denver Broncos tackles the runner of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game October 4, 1981, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1974-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 4: Randy Gradishar #52 and Larry Riley #26 of the Denver Broncos tackles the runner of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game October 4, 1981, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1974-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

No. 53

Legendary player who wore it: Randy Gradishar

Player who wore it next: Anthony Thompson

Player currently wearing it: Malik Carney

Why this number is still there for the taking is beyond me. Randy Gradishar is among the best players the team has ever had and he just doesn’t seem to get the respect on a national media level that he richly deserves.

Gradishar was the No. 14 pick of the 1974 draft and he played in 10 seasons with the Broncos. During that time, he became the key figure in the team’s legendary “Orange Crush” defense. He wasn’t just a good player. He wasn’t even just a great player. He was a rare, extremely talented player that could pretty much do it all.

The fact that he isn’t in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is borderline criminal and is another store for another day. But in terms of what has happened with the No. 53 since he wore it, there hasn’t been a player that has come close to matching what he did on the field.

It took seven years for another player to put No. 53 on. That was linebacker Anthony Thompson, who played a grand total of 10 games with the team and did absolutely nothing.

During the team’s Super Bowl runs in the late 1990s, Bill Romanowski brought some respect back to No. 53, but former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver J.J. Stokes would likely beg to differ (video).

With the No. 53 generally reserved for a linebacker, it’s hard to imagine ever seeing one in Denver like Gradishar again. This number should absolutely be retired by the organization and honestly, it should be the next one to receive that honor.

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