LAS VEGAS — When Randy Gradishar is enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, he'll be introduced by one of his former teammates and dear friends.
After being officially elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024 on Thursday, Gradishar said he had selected fellow Ring of Fame linebacker Tom Jackson as his presenter.
"You may know him — a guy named Tom Jackson," Gradishar told DenverBroncos.com on Thursday. "… Tommy's a great guy. We're great friends. I asked him … a few weeks ago if he would do that presentation for me back in Canton."
Gradishar and Jackson played with each other for the duration of Gradishar's 10-year career. The two, both Ohio natives, grew up about an hour away from one another before eventually uniting on the Broncos and becoming close friends. Jackson recently called Gradishar "best tackler I ever saw" and was a vocal supporter of Gradishar's case for induction into Hall of Fame for years.
Gradishar will be the first member of the "Orange Crush" defense enshrined in Canton, and he's hopeful that Jackson's role this summer won't be the last time he — or other members of the Broncos' historic defense — will be recognized in Canton.
"Knowing that now I'm in, I'm just hoping and praying that the 'Orange Crush' defense — or that team, certainly — will be considered more recognizable and having the opportunity to go in, similar to that 'Steel Curtain' guys [in Pittsburgh]," Gradishar said. "[I'm] just very, very excited and again, it's a real blessing for me to be the first guy acknowledged and [selected] for this. I'm just hoping and praying that this leads into some other guys getting into the Hall of Fame."
Gradishar, who finished his playing career in 1983, waited more than four decades for his eventual election to the Hall of Fame, but he said "it's sweeter" after an extended wait.
"I'm very grateful for having that opportunity to now be saying that I'm in the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Gradishar said.
Take an inside look at how the Pro Football Hall of Fame surprised "Orange Crush" linebacker Randy Gradishar with the news he'd been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with help from former teammates Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson and Hall of Famer Steve Atwater.
Randy Gradishar enters during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react as Greg Penner welcomes them into the room during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react as Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner welcome them into the room during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react as Steve Atwater surprises him with the news that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react as Steve Atwater surprises him with the news that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar's wife, Beth, reacts during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife react, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react as Steve Atwater surprises him with the news that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife react as he is surprised with the news that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, react as he is surprised with the news that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar gets a hug from former teammate Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar is congratulated by Tom Jackson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar is congratulated by Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar is congratulated by Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar smiles during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar is congratulated by Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar is congratulated by Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar hugs his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar hugs his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jim Porter congratulates Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jim Porter congratulates Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jim Porter congratulates Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jim Porter congratulates Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Wyche interviews Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson laugh during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Wyche interviews Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Greg Penner during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Wyche interviews Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Wyche interviews Randy Gradishar with Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Wyche interviews Randy Gradishar with Tom Jackson and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Wyche and Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton talks with Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton congratulates Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton talks with Tom Jackson, Billy Thompson, Steve Wyche and Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar talks with Tom Jackson, Billy Thompson and Steve Wyche during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Greg Penner, Carrie Walton Penner, Randy Gradishar and his wife, Beth, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Damani Leech, Jim Porter, Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Billy Thompson, Carrie Walton Penner, Greg Penner, Steve Atwater and Sean Payton during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Carrie Walton Penner, Greg Penner, Steve Atwater and Sean Payton during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Beth Gradishar and Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Billy Thompson and Carrie Walton Penner during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar, Steve Atwater, Sean Payton and Tom Jackson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar, Billy Thompson and Sean Payton during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Atwater, Sean Payton and Tom Jackson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Beth Gradishar places a pin on Randy Gradishar's lapel during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner talk with Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and Steve Atwater during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar smiles during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that he had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton congratulates Randy Gradishar during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson look at the banners for Pro Football Hall of Famers after Gradishar was surprised with the news that he had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
after Gradishar was surprised with the news that he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Atwater greets Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Atwater, Steve Wyche and Tom Jackson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Atwater receives direction during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson tells a story during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson, Steve Wyche and Steve Atwater during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tom Jackson and Damani Leech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Greg Penner greets Billy Thompson during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Steve Atwater and Carrie Walton Penner during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's surprise announcement that Randy Gradishar had been elected as part of the Class of 2024 at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on January 26, 2024. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
