Randy Gradishar
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| Randy Gradishar | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | March 3, 1952 (age 55) |
| Place of birth |  Warren, Ohio |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| College | Ohio State |
| NFL Draft | 1974 / Round 1/ Pick 14 |
| Career Highlights | |
| Pro Bowls | 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 |
| Honors | Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Ohio State Football All-Century Team College Football Hall of Fame |
| Stats | |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1974-1983 | Denver Broncos |
| College Hall of Fame | |
Randy Charles Gradishar (born March 3, 1952 in Warren, Ohio) is a former college and professional American football linebacker who played in the 1970s and '80s.
Contents |
[edit] College Career
Gradishar was a three-year starter with the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1971 to 1973. Former Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes called Gradishar "the best linebacker I ever coached"[1]. He made 134 tackles in his senior year.
In Gradishar's three years with the Buckeyes, the team had a 25-6-1 record, with two Big Ten Conference championships. Gradishar's final collegiate game was a 42-21 victory over the University of Southern California in the 1974 Rose Bowl, to complete a 10-0-1 season.
Gradishar was a consensus first-team All-America selection in 1972 and a unanimous first-team All-America selection in 1973. In 1973 Gradishar finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Gradishar was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1983. In 1987 he was induced into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Gradishar was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. He was selected to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000.
The Ohio State end-of-season award for most outstanding linebacker is known as the Randy Gradishar Award.
[edit] NFL Career
Gradishar was drafted 14th overall in the 1974 NFL Draft by the Broncos. Gradishar went on to spend 10 seasons with Denver, assisting them to Super Bowl XII after the 1977 season. He made the Pro Bowl seven times, including six consecutive appearances from 1977 to 1983. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.
He played along with Tom Jackson as part of the "Orange Crush" and is considered by some to be the greatest defensive player in Broncos history. Gradishar was inducted to the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1989.
Gradishar retired after the 1983 season, finishing his career with over 2,000 tackles and 20 interceptions, which he returned for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 72 yards and one touchdown. Since his retirement, he has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame several times, but has yet to be enshrined. He was among the 15 finalists in 2005, and has made the top 25 list so far in 2006.
[edit] Trivia
While attending Ohio State, Gradishar joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
