ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar didn't learn of his own Defensive Player of the Year election via an awards banquet or a surprise announcement.
Following the 1978 season, when Gradishar earned the league's top defensive honor, he simply found out via a trip to his mailbox.
"I got a letter saying, 'We would like to honor you as Defensive Player of the Year,'" Gradishar told DenverBroncos.com. "It was certainly a different process we went through years and years ago of finding out you were named — or being even considered for — Defensive Player of the Year.
"It was a great honor when I received it."
Forty-six years passed between Gradishar opening that piece of mail and cornerback Pat Surtain II walking on stage at Thursday's NFL Honors.
Gradishar and Surtain are the only players in franchise history to earn the honor — and after a nearly five-decade wait, Gradishar is excited to finally have a companion in one of the Broncos' most exclusive clubs.
"We needed another Bronco to come on the show and say, 'I'm the Defensive Player of the Year,'" Gradishar said. "All credit goes to him, because of the year he's had and how he's played. He's just a really great athlete, and he just reminds me of a guy when I played, Louis Wright. The way he covered passes, the way he covered the run — they didn't come his way very often. Having the opportunity to have that award is certainly a great honor."
Gradishar said he believes Surtain's selection gives "great recognition to the Broncos" and showcases one of the organization's top players.
"He earned it," Gradishar said. "You go through the year, you're playing and you're making big plays. The other 10 guys on the defense are looking at you, and I know he was a very great encourager."
Surtain's Defensive Player of the Year campaign was highlighted by a 100-yard pick six, which came against the Raiders during the Broncos' alumni weekend. Wearing the team's 1977 throwback jerseys, Surtain changed the tone of the game just an hour after Gradishar received his Hall of Fame ring.
"It was great," Gradishar said of that Surtain's highlight. "You're excited for the player. You're excited for Patrick. There aren't too many people in Colorado that like the Raiders. And then when you see Patrick take that ball and go 100 yards, that was just unbelievable. That set the tone for the rest of the game and for the players. Then you know you're beating your nemesis."
As Surtain raced down the west sideline at Empower Field at Mile High that October afternoon, he unknowingly was racing toward the Defensive Player of the Year award — and toward joining Gradishar in franchise immortality.
