Pro Football Hall of Fame voters named three senior finalists for the 2023 class on Tuesday, and Denver Broncos great Randy Gradishar did not make the cut. Instead, the senior committee named Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko and Ken Riley as the three senior finalists.
Gradishar will now have to wait at least another year before getting into Canton, with his already long overdue enshrinement delayed yet again.
Gradishar, 70, played for the Denver Broncos from 1974-1983, anchoring the team’s famous “Orange Crush” defense. Gradishar helped Denver reach the Super Bowl following the 1977 season, and he won Defensive Player of the Year honors one season later.
Gradishar totaled 2,049 tackles in 10 seasons, which still stand as a franchise record. He started 145 straight games, recording 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries, before retiring at age 31.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Gradishar is a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.
The Broncos do have two former coaches — Mike Shanahan and the late Dan Reeves — who are finalists for the 2023 Hall of Fame class. That will be announced Aug. 23, and the full 2023 class will be revealed before Super Bowl LVII.
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