MVP Profile: Randy Gradishar, 1978

Linebacker, Denver Broncos

Age:  26

5^th season in pro football & with Broncos

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 233

Prelude:

An All-American selection in both 1972 and ’73, Gradishar was chosen by the Broncos in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft (14^th overall). Moving into the starting lineup at middle linebacker, he was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 1975. A smart and overachieving player who was especially effective against the run, Gradishar was a 2^nd-team All-AFC selection in ’76 and moved to inside linebacker in 1977 as the Broncos switched to a 3-4 defense. Fueled by the “Orange Crush” defense, Denver won the AFC title and Gradishar was a consensus first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl selection.

1978 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 4

Most interceptions, game – 2 at Seattle 10/29

Int. yards – 19

Most int. return yards, game – 8 (on 1 int.) vs. Seattle 10/1

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Fumble recovery TDs – 1 [2, tied with 13 others]

Scoring

TD – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Divisional playoff at Pittsburgh)

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 0

Int. return yards – 0

TD – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly

1^st team All-NFC: UPI, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Broncos went 10-6 to finish first in the AFC West while allowing the fewest passing TDs (9) in the NFL and finishing a close second in fewest points allowed (198). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to Pittsburgh Steelers (33-10).

Aftermath:

Gradishar received first- and second-team All-NFL honors and was again chosen to the Pro Bowl in 1979. He failed to make the Pro Bowl in ’80, a season in which he was credited with 230 tackles, but was selected in each of the next three years. Gradishar played a total of ten seasons, through 1983, and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times and received at least some All-NFL or AFC honors on eight occasions. He was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1989.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.