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Former Ohio State Football player Randy Gradishar deserves to be in HOF

By Del Barris

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Randy Gradishar of the Denver Broncos looks across the line of scrimmage at quarterback Brian Sipe #17 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 5, 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Browns 19-16. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Randy Gradishar of the Denver Broncos looks across the line of scrimmage at quarterback Brian Sipe #17 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 5, 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Browns 19-16. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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The former Ohio State football player deserves to be in the Hall of Fame based on his play in the pros. Here are all the reasons why.

I’ve been waiting to write this article. You see, it’s Hall of Fame induction weekend in Canton and that means it’s time for me to have my say about something:

RANDY GRADISHAR DESERVES TO BE IN THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME.

The former Buckeye linebacker has been passed over for far, far too long. It’s time for the Senior Selection Committee to right one of its many wrongs.

The native of Warren, Ohio was drafted in the first round by Denver in 1974 and spent his entire ten-year career with the Broncos. After his rookie season he started all but one game over the next nine years and was a mainstay at inside linebacker for the team’s famed Orange Crush defense. Just take a look at these highlights.

More importantly, Gradishar helped transform Denver from a mediocre franchise into an AFC Championship team. He was named to seven Pro Bowls, was twice first-team All-Pro, and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

Among the inside linebackers who played during Gradishar’s time in the league, there is only one other with better credentials and he has long since been in the Hall of Fame (Pittsburgh’s Jack Lambert).

He was an All-American for Ohio State in 1972 and was a unanimous selection in 1973 when he also finished sixth in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. He helped lead the Buckeyes to consecutive Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl appearances in those seasons.

In his final two games for OSU, Gradishar had fifteen tackles in that classic 10-10 tie with Michigan and added ten more in the Buckeyes’ blowout of USC in the Rose Bowl. He was the leader of a defense that allowed just 64 points in 1973. The Ohio State football program has had its share of great middle linebackers, but when I watch Gradishar it occurs to me he may be the greatest of them all. Woody Hayes called him the best linebacker he ever coached.

Next. Quinn Ewers is perfect for NIL. dark

He is in the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. It is now time for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Senior Selection Committee to correct this oversight and vote Gradishar his rightful place in Canton. Their next opportunity to do so will be in late January.

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