Through the Years
From the archive: Rarely seen photos of Randy Gradishar from his Denver Broncos career
During his NFL career, Randy Gradishar helped power the famous "Orange Crush" defense and was one of the most dominant tacklers the game has seen. Relive moments from that time with these photos from the Denver Broncos photo archive.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado on December 19, 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar and defensive coordinator Joe Collier in 1974 or 1975.
Linebacker Joe Rizzo, linebacker Randy Gradishar, defensive tackle Rubin Carter, linebacker Bob Swenson and defensive end Lyle Alzado team up to tackle an Oakland Raiders ball carrier during a game at Mile High Stadium.
Linebacker Randy Gradishar goes for the ball during a game.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado on November 21, 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Linebacker Bob Swenson, defensive end Lyle Alzado, linebacker Randy Gradishar and the rest of the Orange Crush defense huddle up before a play at Mile High Stadium.
Randy Gradishar makes a tackle on a Cleveland Browns ball carrier.
Linebacker Randy Gradishar chases down a Buffalo Bills ball carrier during a game at Mile High Stadium.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in October of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in December of 1983 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Rod Hanna
Linebacker Randy Gradishar chases down the Oakland Raiders ball carrier during a game at Mile High Stadium.
Defensive coordinator Joe Collier and Randy Gradishar sit on the bench together during a game.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in Denver, Colorado in December of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar on the sideline during an NFL game in November of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during player introductions at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in December of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in December of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in September of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in December of 1983 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Gradishar's name on the back of his jersey was changed to "Meatball" as part of a series of pranks. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers in San Diego in December of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado on September 25, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on October 2, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in September of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in September of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado on December 4, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
A sign for Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in December of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in September of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on October 2, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in December of 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 4, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California on November 27, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar chases Baltimore Colts running back Alvin Moore during the NFL game against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on September 11, 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in Denver, Colorado in September of 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar, Steve Watson, Billy Thompson and Bob Swenson during the Pro Bowl in 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar tackles Atlanta Falcons running back William Andrews during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in December 5, 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in Denver, Colorado in September of 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in December 5, 1982. Photo by Rod Hanna
Randy Gradishar in August 1982.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on October 18, 1981. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 21, 1980. Photo by Rod Hanna
A sign for Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado in 1983. Photo by Rod Hanna
Denver Broncos Tom Jackson, Louis Wright, Randy Gradishar and Rick Upchurch during the Pro Bowl in the late 1970s. Photo by Rod Hanna
A sideline portrait of Randy Gradishar in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in the late 1970s or the early 1980s.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar during an NFL game in December of 1983 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Rod Hanna
Randy Gradishar during a game in the 1970s.
Randy Gradishar waits for the snap during a game against quarterback Dan Fouts and the San Diego Chargers.
Randy Gradishar of the Denver Broncos in action against the Seattle Seahawks in Denver in November of 1983.
Alton Montgomery, Le-Lo Lang, Dennis Smith, John Elway and Randy Gradishar (from left to right) come out for the coin toss for the 1991 AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills on January 12, 1992.
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar shakes hands with a Buffalo Bills player during the coin toss before the NFL game AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY on January 12, 1992. Photo by Eric Lars Bakke
