The fact that legendary Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gladisher is still waiting to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is arguably the most obvious and egregious omission since the doors opened to Canton.
Gladisher is one of the greatest inside linebackers ever to wear an NFL jersey. can’t believe it? Believe in highly rated NFL players and coaches.
Here are some notable quotes about Gradishar:
Joe Collier: “The best player I have ever coached.”
Dan Reeves: “He was the best linebacker ever — and I’ve been around some great linebackers.”
Chuck Knox: “Randy was a great linebacker and definitely a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was tough, smart and played hard.”
Steve Largent: “Randy Gladisher should definitely be in the Hall of Fame. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t been in the Hall of Fame yet.”
Gladisha’s case
Rod Hannah – USA TODAY Sports
Gradishar left the game after just 10 seasons, choosing to leave while he was still playing at the elite level (perhaps voters expected him to leave soon after, leaving the NFL world for a few more years of stellar football). punishing him for stealing). In those ten seasons, he made his seven appearances in the Pro Bowl, and was named an All-Pro five times.
His work in his final season earned him a Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro. / 7 Pro Bowls, Jack Hamm 12 seasons / 8 Pro Bowls, Ted Hendricks 15 seasons / 8 Pro Bowls, Jack Lambert 11). Season/9 Pro Bowl).
Seven Pro Bowls is the most by an inside linebacker outside of Canton. This greatness deserves recognition. In 1978, Gradisher was named Defensive Player of the Year. Only two players who won the award in the 1970s are not in the hall.
Gladisha is one of them. 1970’s or He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1980’s, Pro Bowl where he appeared 5 times or more, First-Team All-Pro every player with his 2 or more selections is inducted into the Hall of Fame . However, Gradyshah is excluded.
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Gradishar was the best player in Denver’s 1978 unit in one of the most historic defenses of all time. He famously was at the heart of his Orange crush defense and led his vaunted unit to a Super Bowl appearance.
Gladisher was an intelligent all-around linebacker. He can play the pass as well as the run and is considered the greatest short-yardage linebacker of all time.
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Another notable citation.
Steve Sabol: “Randy Gladisher was one of the best defensive leaders in the NFL in the late ’70s. His range set him apart from the rest in his position. A sure and determined tackler. He was also an excellent pass defender.Intelligence, preparation, athleticism and anticipation of his play were among the best in football. rice field. .”
In his career, Gladisher recovered 2,049 tackles, 20 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 13 fumbles, and 4.5 “official” sacks. It could be argued that some of them were embellished, as tackles were recorded by the team at the time rather than being an official statistic.
For the sake of discussion, let’s say 25% of them were added. Still, averaging over 150 tackles per season equates to over 1,500 tackles. This was well above Ray Lewis’ average, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
Unfortunately, I have to point out that Gradishar is as good or better than other players in the Hall of Fame. It pretty much reduces his strengths. He deserves to be immortalized without a presentation of sympathy along with the other greats of the game, and that should have happened a long time ago.
A bronze bust of Gladisher has been long awaited. It’s time to vote for Canton’s hallowed halls.
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