Former Ohio State football LB Randy Gradishar makes Pro Football Hall of Fame

colin gay, columbus dispatch

Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 2:53 PM·2 min read

Another former member of the Ohio State football team has made the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was one of seven players induced into the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with defensive end Julius Peppers, wide receiver Devin Hester, defensive end Dwight Freeney, wide receiver Andre Johnson, linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive tackle Steve McMichael.

Gradishar is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Ohio State Sports Hall of Fame, and has also been awarded the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award and named to the Dick Butkus Award Silver Anniversary team.

After being a two-time All-American linebacker and finishing sixth in the 1973 Heisman Trophy voting, Gradishar played 10 seasons for the Broncos, making seven Pro Bowls and winning the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 along with being a two-time first-team All-Pro.

Gradishar is a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame. He went to a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 1977 in Super Bowl XII.

In 145 games, Gradishar finished with 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries, while also recording 19.5 sacks. His 2,049 career tackles, unofficially, are the most in Broncos history.

At Ohio State, Gradishar was a three-time Big Ten first-team honoree, helping the Buckeyes to two Big Ten championships in 1972 and 1973. Gradishar has 320 total tackles: 12th most in Ohio State history.