Horse Tracks: Could it finally be Randy Gradishar’s time?

While nothing is official until later Tuesday, it appears that Broncos legend Randy Gradishar may finally get the recognition his impressive career deserves. According to the Broncos, early voting featured unanimous consensus that Gradishar should be among the senior finalists considered for enshrinement in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

Judge asked each member of the panel to select their three choices for finalists from the 12 semifinalists, and all eight panelists selected Gradishar as deserving of being chosen this year.

“There’s no doubt whom our board favors most,” Judge wrote. “Randy Gradishar, come on down.“The former Denver linebacker was a unanimous choice, the only candidate to appear on every ballot. And for good reason. He was a tackling machine, a Defensive Player of the Year and the heart and soul of an “Orange Crush” defense that dominated the last 1970s and early ‘80s.

“He should’ve been included in the Centennial Class of 2020, but he wasn’t. I’m still trying to understand that one. Apparently, so are our historians.”

We agree. In fact, Mile High Report has been screaming from the mountaintops that Gradishar’s exclusion was a travesty against the legacy of football. Maybe the voters will finally stand up and take notice when the time comes to cast their ballots.

Here are all the reasons why Gradishar is bust-worthy:

Broncos Legends: A look back through Ring of Famer Randy Gradishar’s Broncos career
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Orange Crush – Denver Broncos History
By 1976, the Broncos were maturing. A series of productive drafts brought together the pieces of what would become one of the most famed defenses in league history.

Dear Hall of Fame, this Broncos’ linebacker’s inclusion is long overdue - Mile High Report And I mean, loooooooong overdue.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame needs Randy Gradishar - Mile High ReportIf there is a player who embodies what the Hall of Fame is about, it’s Randy Gradishar - menacing on the field, unassuming off it, and always doing his job the right way.

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