Randy Gradishar Biography

Randolph Charles Gradishar, born on March 3, 1952, played linebacker for ten seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos during the 1970s and 1980s. A native of Ohio, he earned consensus and unanimous All-American honors while playing college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Randy Gradishar played as a three-year starter for Ohio State University from 1971 to 1973 after earning a degree in Distributive Education. Former Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes praised him as the best linebacker he ever coached. During his three seasons as a starter, Ohio State posted a 25–6–1 record, including two Big Ten Conference championships. His final collegiate game was a 42–21 Rose Bowl victory over USC, capping a 10–0–1 season in 1974. Gradishar recorded 320 career tackles at Ohio State, a school record at the time, now ranked 11th in team history.