FanPost

Avoiding A Major Injustice

I wasn’t planning on writing a follow up to my Gradishar fanpost, http://www.milehighreport.com/2014/7/1/5862048/randy-gradishar-why-he-should-be-included-in-the-first-mhr-hof but given the results of the first round of voting, it seems that it is necessary to present video to bring Gradishar to life for those who missed his amazing career.

I really appreciate all of the positive comments and kind words. The comments have driven home the point that those who saw Gradishar play appreciate his greatness. It was also heartening to see, some of the younger fans have heard about him or caught the tail end of his career and have rallied around him. But, judging from his fifth place finish in the round one voting, he is in danger of the same injustice with the MHR HOF as he faced in the NFL HOF voting (Making the final cut, but missing out on the election vote).

I never got to see him play live, but got to follow his career on television. In an effort to bring Gradishar to those who did not have the pleasure of seeing him play, I have posted a couple of videos to Youtube. The first is a short series of excerpts from the 1977 AFC Championship game against the Raiders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SchB7N8Euw

To put this video in context, 1977 was a magical season for Broncos fans, culminating with the most important win in Broncos history, to that point (and for another 20 years) against the hated Raiders in the AFC title game. Bronco lore recounts Craid Morton’s poor health, hospitalization and heroism. Pretty much lost to history was the fact that Gradishar was also questionable for the game, but came out strong (albeit limping), to put on one of the grittiest performances in NFL history.

After the Broncos offense went 3 and out to start the game, the Raiders took over looking to end the Bronco’s Cinderella season. On their very first play from scrimmage, Gradishar delivered the tackle heard round the world (0:40-1:08), bursting into the backfield and instead of delivering the hard hit and risking a whiff, he performed a perfect textbook tackle wrapping up the runner and throwing him backward for a significant loss. This play (my all time favorite play) would set the tone for the drive/game and lead to a 3 and out for the Raiders. Notice Gradishar limping around after the play. (Also notice throughout the video how Gradishar is the focal point of the huddles and how the television cameras focus on him. He truly was larger than life).

Unfortunately, the Broncos "special teams" roughed up Ray Guy on the punt, putting the Broncos D right back out onto the field. The Raiders proceeded to eat up clock and yards, bringing up a critical 3rd and short around the 10 yard line. At this critical point, Gradishar pre-enacted the Atwater/Okoye hit (3:26) stopping the runner cold and driving him back to bring up 4th down. On 4th down, Gradishar pre-enacts the Elway helicopter play (5:06) going up and over the pile and colliding with the runner while flipping a 360. Granted neither of these plays are as visually impressive as the more famous, later plays (both arguably the greatest plays in Bronco history), but when taken in the context of the most critical game in Broncos history to that point, and taking place in a SINGLE DRIVE, it serves as pretty impressive sliver of Gradishar’s body of work (2049 regular season tackles). The Broncos would keep the Raiders out of the end zone and hold them to 3 points on this roughing extended opening Raider drive. Eventually winning by 3 points, the game could have been very different had the Broncos D (and Gradishar in particular) not rallied to overcome the early offensive and special team woes.

I have also reposted the wonderful tribute put together by the good folks at gradishar4hof.com This video was sent to the NFL HOF voters around 10 years ago, by the committee to elect Randy Gradishar as part of the effort to get Gradishar enshrined.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXRhOVZhvpo

I hope this video evidence helps bring back the magic of the time and contributes to Gradishar getting the recognition he deserves in the MHR HOF voting.


This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR.