Former Broncos LB Randy Gradishar named Hall of Fame finalist again

Randy Gradishar is on the doorstep of Canton — again.

On Wednesday, the former Broncos linebacker and centerpiece of the Orange Crush defense was announced as one of three Seniors Committee finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

He will need the full voting group to induct him in a meeting likely to occur in early 2024, but more often than not that final step is mere formality. Gradishar is not up against the modern-era candidates for the Hall, so the vote is yes or no on his induction alone.

In other words: Gradishar is likely headed to the Hall of Fame after a decades-long wait.

It’s Gradishar’s fourth time as a Hall of Fame finalist after he came up short of election as a modern-era finalist in 2003 and 2008, and as a Seniors Committee candidate in 2020.

In 10 years with Denver, Gradishar was a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro en route to becoming the franchise’s leading tackler at 2,049. He was the 1978 NFL defensive player of the year, and is one of only 10 linebackers in NFL history (and the only one not in in the Hall) with seven Pro Bowls, 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.

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