PERSONAL BACKGROUND

• Born and raised in Champion, OH
• Father was a grocery store owner, and mother was a housewife/homemaker
• Youngest of three boys

HIGH SCHOOL/SPORTS/AWARDS

• Champion Senior High School, 1966 -1970
• Football & Basketball Varsity, ‘C’- Letter, 1968,1969,1970
• Trumbull County All-Star Football and Basketball Team, 1970
• Student Council, 1969, 1970
• Boys State, 1970
• Champion High School Sports Hall of Fame, 2005
• COLLEGE/FOOTBALL/AWARDS/RECOGNITION
• The Ohio State University, 1970-1974, Education, B.S.
• All-American, 1972, 1973
• All Big-Ten, 1972, 1973, 1974
• OSU Football Team Captain, 1973
• Rose Bowl, 1973, 1974
• Hula Bowl, 1974
• The Ohio State University Sports Hall of Fame, 1983
• National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame, 1999
• Dick Butkus Silver Anniversary Award, 1999
• The Ohio State University All-Century Football Team, 2000
• College Football All-Century Team, 2000
• Bronko Nagurski Legends Award, 2015

NFL DENVER BRONCOS AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS/NOMINEE

• Denver Broncos #1 draft choice 1974, NFL 14th overall pick
• Super Bowl XII, 1977
• NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1978
• Denver Athletic Club Athlete of the Year, 1978
• NFL Linebacker of The Year, 1978-1979
• Teammate Defensive MVP, 1978, 1980
• Leader of the Denver Broncos Orange Crush Defense, 1974-1983
• Broncos All-Time Leading Tackler - 2,049 tackles
• NFL Career: Ten years, never missed a game---145 consecutive games, retired in 1983
• Seven-Time NFL All-Pro
• Top 300 All-Time Greatest NFL Players, Total Football, Official NFL League Encyclopedia
• Top 10 NFL Linebackers of All-Time, Pro Football Weekly
• Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, 1987
• Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, 1989
• Selected by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to the Players Special Advisory Council 1992-1995
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Top 10 Modern-Era Finalist, 2003, 2008
  Taste of the NFL host; served thirteen years representing Denver and the Denver Broncos. Taste of the NFL is an annual fundraiser held the day before the Super Bowl to raise money for local food banks.
• Bronko Nagurski Legends Award, 2015
• Denver Bronco Nominee for the NFL Salute To Veterans Award, 2018
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Finalist, 2020
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Top Three Senior Finalist, 2023
• USAA Salute to Service Award, 2023
• Pro Football HOF Class of 2024

NFL TESTIMONIALS

• “If you ask me to name the five best linebackers I played against or had a chance to cover in my broadcasting career, Randy Gradishar would be on that list.” Merlin Olson, Los Angeles Rams
• “Randy’s career was characterized by intelligence and intensity.” Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks
• “Randy was the leader and heart and soul of the Denver Bronco Defense when the ‘Orange Crush’ was among the NFL elite.” Bob Griese, Miami Dolphins
• “Randy accomplished Hall of Fame quality with his consistent performance, leadership, and character.” Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams
• “Gradishar was second to none in terms of preparation and competitiveness.” Tony Dorsette, Dallas Cowboys
• “Randy’s the toughest guy to run at... if you run right at him, he’s gonna make the play; if you run away from him, he’ll come in from behind and make the play.” John Madden, former Oakland Raiders Head Coach and NFL Broadcaster
• “I’ve never seen a more gifted and talented athlete than Randy Gradishar.” John Ralston, Denver Broncos’ former Head Coach
• “Randy Gradishar is a Pros’ Pro; without fanfare, he is the model of Hall of Fame efficiency in the middle of that great Orange Crush Defense; his plays were overshadowed only by his class act.” Chris Berman, ESPN
• “Randy’s ‘range’ separated him from others at his position; his ‘play anticipation’ was the best in football.” Steve Sabol, NFL Films
• “In my 32 years of coaching, I’ve coached many players...a lot of great players, but Randy Gradishar was the best I ever coached.” Joe Collier, Denver Broncos’ former Defensive Coordinator

POST-NFL WORK EXPERIENCE

• Phil Long Dealerships Corporate Communications Ambassador, 1997-present
• Phil Long Dealerships Mount Carmel Veterans Service Center Ambassador, 2014 - present
• Promise Keepers Staff Leader under former CU Coach Bill McCartney, 1994-1997
• Broncos Denver Youth Foundation, President, 1984-1992