Photos: Inside the moment when Randy Gradishar learned he was a Pro Football Hall of Famer
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
