CANTON, Ohio — What's a couple of hours compared to 35 years?

After waiting nearly four decades to be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar had to wait just a little longer to officially join the legends of the game in Canton, Ohio.

As lightning dotted the sky and pouring rain drove across the landscape, the Hall of Fame was forced to delay its enshrinement ceremony on Saturday morning. But even the grey clouds that hunger over Tom Benson Stadium after the inclement weather cleared couldn't dampen the brightness of Gradishar's grin as he took the stage to unveil his bust and deliver his speech.

"To the Broncos and Broncos Country: I would not be standing here without you," Gradishar said. "The best franchise and the best fans in the NFL. And thank you to Greg [Penner], Carrie [Walton Penner] and the Walton-Penner Ownership for what you've done for me and all Broncos alumni."

With fellow Broncos Ring of Fame linebacker Tom Jackson by his side as his presenter, Gradishar happily accepted the sport's highest honor, discussing a football life that led him to Denver and now to Canton, where his bust will reside.

Over the course of Gradishar's speech, he discussed the many people who made an impact on his life, whether in football, in his approach to life or in his faith: coaches, teammates, family, friends and more. A passage on his father was particularly memorable:

"Watching my dad, especially at his B&J Grocers, taught me valuable life lessons early on," Gradishar said. "At age 12, I loved working at Dad's store. I watched how he took pride in serving his customers with kindness and respect. It impacted my life. I remember one day, dad didn't serve; he didn't open his B&J Grocers. It was June 6, 1980 — a ruptured aneurysm took my dad's life. He was 60, I was 28. A significant loss in my life and for Champion, Ohio. my dad was deeply loved and respected.

"I lost my dad, but I didn't lose the principles he and mom taught me by example: honesty, loyalty and a disciplined work ethic that allowed me to serve others with generosity and fun."

That kind of pride in what he did helped drive Gradishar to the highest level of the game. In 1974, the Broncos drafted Gradishar in the first round after a stellar career at Ohio State.

"My Denver Bronco head coach, John Ralston, impacted my life," Gradishar said. "During my senior year at OSU, I sustained a knee injury; surgery was somewhat successful. I knew, and others knew, that my knee would never be the same. But Coach Ralston took a chance and drafted me in '74. The rest is history. Bronco coaches Red Miller, Dan Reeves, Stan Jones, Bob Gambold, Myrel Moore and Joe Collier believed in me and encouraged me."

The occasion represents an extremely important milestone for the franchise. For decades, the famed Broncos defense that terrorized opponents during Gradishar's tenure had not been represented in the Hall of Fame. While it had earned a rare spot in the lexicon of the game as the Orange Crush defense and led the team to a Super Bowl appearance, not one member of the unit had been inducted — an apparent oversight considering the gold-jacket representation from the likes of the Vikings' Purple People Eaters or the Cowboys' Doomsday Defense from similar eras.

Gradishar, as the first player from the legendary unit, reflected on his time as part of that defense with tremendous pride. Among the many people Gradishar thanked, he singled out Collier, the Orange Crush's defensive coordinator.

"Coach Collier wasn't just a brilliant coach, but also one of the best leadership mentors any NFL player could want," Gradishar said. "Barney [Chavous], Lyle [Alzado], Rubin [Carter], Paul [Smith], 'Swenz' [Bob Swenson], [Joe] Rizzo, Tom, Rick [Dennison], 'B.T.' [Billy Thompson], Louis [Wright], Steve [Foley], Bernard [Jackson], Randy Rich, Randy Potl, John [Grant], and Karl [Mecklenburg] — we will always be the Orange Crush defense: an explosive, dominant, winning force because Coach Collier wanted the best for us, in turn, he got the best from us. Coach Collier's legacy? Loyal commitment, humility, quiet strength, and encouragement [that] made a lifelong difference in many athletes' lives."

Jackson became one of Gradishar's close friends during their time together on the Broncos, and that friendship endures today. As Gradishar was feted as a member of the Class of 2024 during the annual Canton Repository Grand Parade, Jackson was by his side. And on the stage in front of thousands of fans, Jackson was there to introduce Gradishar and to help unveil his bust.

"Tom, thank you," Gradishar said. "Our journey began in the summer of '74 at Broncos Mile High Stadium, a journey of shared experiences built on loyalty and trust. Fifty years later, we stand together on the Pro Football Hall of Fame stage."