“When considering the epitome of an outstanding inside linebacker, the name Randy Gradishar has to come to mind. Randy was a fierce competitor with over 2300 tackles, a strong leader whose grit and heart inspired others both on and off the field, and he was the essence of a devoted player, having never missed a game during his 10-year career. Named to the Pro Bowl seven times and also NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, Randy truly played with the heart of a champion and deserves without a doubt to be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.”

“Randy Gradishar absolutely should be in the Hall of Fame. Frankly, I’m surprised he is not in already. Randy Gradishar and Jack Lambert were the two most celebrated middle linebackers in the game in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. His play was characterized by intensity and intelligence. No one played harder or smarter than Randy. He had the proverbial “nose for the football.” His size, speed, intelligence, and work habits separated him from the other players at his inside linebacker position, and on short yardage his ability to anticipate the hole and beat the ballcarrier to it were the best in football.”

“My personal recollection of Gradishar is that he was one of the finest inside linebackers in the 3-4 defense. His tackling ability plus being a ball hawk, 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries, rank with the best that have played the position. His statistics and number of Pro Bowls match up well with other linebackers in the Hall of Fame. I believe he is worthy of consideration.”

“If you ask me to name the five best linebackers I played against or had a chance to cover in my broadcasting career, Randy Gradishar would be on that list. He was the kind of player that I would have loved to have as a teammate. There is no question about credentials here; Randy Gradishar belongs in the Hall of Fame.”

“Randy Gradishar was an outstanding and smart player. Somebody we had to prepare for as an individual. I have great respect for him and I would give my strong recommendation for Randy Gradishar as a candidate for the Hall of Fame.”

“Although Randy and I didn't face each other very often, I am very familiar with his career. He was one of the premier defensive players of our generation, and was voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. Randy was the leader and the "heart and soul" of that Denver defense at a time when that "Orange Crush" unit was among the NFL elite. He is an excellent candidate for Pro Football's Hall of Fame.”

“Randy Gradishar accomplished Hall of Fame quality of play with consistent performance, leadership, and character. Randy was the kind of player I wanted on my teams. Physically talented, dependable, always prepared, and determined to do what it takes to win the football game. Randy was a players’ player; when you took the field you could depend on Randy to get his job done and then do the extra to help you win the football game. He was a leader by demonstration in all aspects of the game. With his physical abilities a given, his warrior attitude made him the one to follow on the football field.”

“Randy was a great linebacker, and he certainly belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was tough, smart, and played every down all out. His greatest traits were his toughness and ability to diagnose the play.”

“Randy Gradishar was one of the most productive players I’ve watched. He was always around the ball, rarely out of position, and constantly making plays. Linebackers are hard to judge because of the lack of statistics. Randy Gradishar made it easy to see what production means.”

“When I think of Hall of Fame athletes, Randy Gradishar fits that mold. Linebackers are the heart and soul of every defense. For years, teams have tried to find the prototype linebacker, like Lawrence Taylor. And yet, Randy Gradishar was the same type of prototype linebacker. The Orange Crush defense carried the Denver Broncos to great records and their first Super Bowl. And the heart and soul of that great defense was the seven-time Pro Bowler, Randy Grandishar.”

"He was as good a linebacker as I have ever been around, and I have been around some great ones. He was a leader without question of our defense while I was with Denver . He was an exceptional football player. I had a great deal of respect for him when I was at Dallas before I ever went to Denver . After I arrived in Denver and saw what kind of a leader he was my respect for him grew. He never missed a game and was a dominant force on the field. The opposing team always had to take him into account when they devised their game plans."

“I believe Randy should be in the NFL Hall of Fame. I got to know Randy at a Pro Bowl and came away very impressed--not only about thisathleticism but also the quality of his person. His record speaks for itself--7 Pro Bowls, 7 times ALL AFC or ALL PRO, Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, Chosen to the top 300 NFL players of all time, top tackler and having never missed a game (I can relate to this accomplishment because I too never missed a game in my 12 years). Randy was one of the best middle linebackers that I ever saw play the game. I wish Randy all the success in the world. He is a class act.”

“Randy Gradishar definitely is deserving of Hall of Fame induction. His performance and consistency were great. He was a big play guy, durable, a smart player and quiet leader who was always involved in every play. Gradishar had unique ability to direct his defense, find the ball, and make the big play. In short yardage situations, he was a playmaker. When the game was over and all the dust had settled, it was always Gradishar who had made the big plays.

“People forget how fast he was. He could go sideline to sideline faster than our guards who were trying to block him.”

“I had the pleasure of watching Randy Gradishar play for many years, and I thought he was a great player, a sure tackler with a natural instinct for the ball. Players and coaches who played with Randy have described him to me as one of the greatest linebackers in pro football history. He had an incredible number of tackles (over 2,300) while fulfilling all the other requirements of an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He was a great leader and a marvelous player.”

“Randy should be in the Hall of Fame. He was a leader, smart, with excellent instincts; an impact player respected by his teammates and opposing players and loved by the fans. He was the heart and soul of that Orange Crush defense. He loved to play, had high character, a nose for the ball, great instincts, was always at the point of attack, and made plays. Very focused, Gradishar was fast, could “read quick,” and was adept at keeping his feet. He played both the run and pass beautifully, knew everyone’s assignment, and the Broncos defensive game was built around him. A great short yardage player, he always put himself in position to make the tackle, and was uncanny in this aspect of the game. Randy was a true playmaker, played clean and by the rules.”

“One tough linebacker-you had to look out for him or he would knock you on your butt.”

“When playing versus Denver our offensive coaches were happy because we had first and goal on the two-yard line. I said you had better block Gradishar or you are not going to score. Randy made three tackles in a row-two for losses.”

“Randy was our coach on the field, ran everything, called signals, changed defenses and often called out opponent’s plays before they were run.”

“Every defense has one guy you know you have to block to have success and Gradishar was the guy for Denver ’s defense.”

“I had a lot of respect for Gradishar. He was a great athlete. He had all the attributes of a great linebacker-big, strong, fast.”

“I remember Gradishar as being a linebacker who was very tough to block. He was a smart linebacker who directed the defense on the field. Very much like Lambert. Played hard.”

“Gradishar was a terrific player. He played by the rules--no cheap shots--no complaining--and played as hard as anyone I saw.”

“Gradishar was one of those players that you had to spend extra time preparing for. He made Denver ’s 3-4 defense a very successful defense.”

“In 1977 we were 9-1 and Denver was 9-1. We lost to Denver primarily due to a great defense led by Gradishar. He ran from sideline to sideline and made plays. You could tell he was the leader of that defense. Hall of Fame players play hard every play and he did this.”

“Gradishar was a smart, tough linebacker with great instincts. Always around the ball, great intensity. One of the best I ever coached against.”

“I don’t know any player that I observed over the years that had the level of competitiveness that Randy had. He took the game to another level.”

“Being in the right place at the right time is what I remember about Randy. The “Orange Crush” defense during his years was an outstanding defense and he was the cornerstone of that defense. Very similar to Butkus. Equally adept versus run or pass. A great tackler, he was a great professional.”

“Anchor of the defense-unselfish player. Brought everyone together.”

“Most dependable player the Denver Broncos had. Always there-never missed any games. Randy was never late for meetings or practices. A fierce competitor he remains one of the best ever in short yardage or goaline defense. One of four of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen.”

“A typical game for Randy was 10 tackles (solo), two tipped passes and a fumble recovery. So many things he did well-run defense, pass defense, great goaline defense and never missed a play in 10 years.”

“Randy Gradishar absolutely was a Hall of Fame players, one of those rare linebackers that you could make a clinic tape of his run defense and his coverage skills—both tapes would be impressive. I loved his spirit for the game and his love for the team he represented. His most distinctive characteristic was his instincts—Gradishar’s timing and angles were incredible. Randy was great for two reasons: his completeness as a player, elite at the point of attack and just as elite with his coverage; and his durability, particularly as related to his aggressive style of play. Linebackers with rare instincts such as his always excel in short yardage play, and he was one of the best ever in these situations.”

“Randy Gradishar was a linebacker who was a difference-maker; you had to know where he was all the time. A definite Hall of Famer. Players either make plays or they don’t, and Gardishar made plays. Randy was a “size” and “speed” player with excellent instincts, and that was before linebackers became mainly pass rushers. He excelled in short yardage, one of the best ever.”

“Randy Gradishar definitely was a Hall of Fame player. The records he achieved rank among the best ever. His play was characterized by intensity and consistency, and I was always impressed by his positive approach to the game and his exceptional competitive attitude on the field. Gradishar was one of the best linebackers ever in short yardage situations, not only for his unique ability to “ride” the play but also for his physical talents that made his the leader of the team.”

“Randy deserves the highest honor awarded to an NFL player because of the impact he had on his team and those he played against. I had to play against Randy twice a year and I can tell you he always had his defense ready to play. We always had to look for mismatches in other areas on the field. I call him the “friendly bully.” He was very pleasant to be around until the ball was snapped. Then he became the neighborhood bully, always looking to put someone on the ground. He was a great playmaker, and when he got to the point of attack, he brought the right attitude with him.”

“Randy Gradishar was a pro’s pro. Without fanfare, he was the model of Hall of Fame efficiency in the middle of that great Denver Orange Crush defense. His play was overshadowed only by his class.”

"One of the best linebackers I had the opportunity to play with. Very dependable with a nose for the football. You could always count on Randy"

“Randy Gradishar was selected All-NFL or All-AFC for seven straight years and was the leader of one of the NFL’s best defenses in the late ‘70’s. His range separated him from others at his position, A sure and determined tackler, he was also an excellent pass defender. He had special qualities in terms of intelligence, preparation, and athletic ability, and his play anticipation was the best in football. He had a great ability to square his body into the ball carrier at the moment of impact, which made him an incredible performer on third or fourth and short.”

“When I represented Denver in Congress, my colleagues all knew Randy and were jealous he didn’t live in their districts.”

(Total Football II names Randy Gradishar as one of the 300 greatest football players of all time) “Gradishar became the foundation on which the imposing Orange Crush defense was built.”

"As the Broncos PR assistant in 1974, I was the first member of the team to meet Randy at the Denver airport after he was drafted in the first round. He wanted to see the city and the area, so we spent the next couple of days driving around the region. It was obvious to me then that Randy wanted Colorado to be his home for a long, long time. From that first day, Randy has been a positive role model and representative of the Broncos in the community. On the field, he became the foundation of the defense that got the Broncos to their first Super Bowl. His seven Pro Bowl appearances over 10 seasons are representative of his strong standing among his peers. I was honored to be associated with Lee Roy Selmon in Tampa Bay after I left Denver . Lee Roy deservedly was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. In my mind, on and off the field, Randy Gradishar is in the same class as Lee Roy Selmon."