Football

Randy Gradishar dedicates Pro Football Hall of Fame induction to 'Lord and Savior Jesus Christ'

By Joshua Doering Aug 5, 2024
Randy Gradishar speaks at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/David Richard)

It was an invitation from — of all people — legendary running back Archie Griffin that changed the trajectory of Randy Gradishar’s life. They were teammates at Ohio State in 1974 when Griffin invited Gradishar to join him at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bible study.

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Gradishar took Griffin up on the offer. For the first time, he heard the Gospel message explained in four basic truths: God created mankind in His image, everyone is a sinner and falls short of God’s glory, God made a way through Jesus’ death on the cross, and salvation requires turning to God.

Griffin was in the audience as Gradishar told this story and shared the Gospel during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech Saturday.

“Salvation requires turning to God,” Gradishar said during his speech. “Repent of our sins, accept His forgiveness, and ask Jesus by faith to be your personal Lord and Savior. This is the only way to be right with God and to live out His plan for our lives, not ours.”

A key member of the Denver Broncos’ “Orange Crush” defense of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gradishar is the franchise’s all-time leading tackler and one of 10 linebackers with at least seven Pro Bowl selections, 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. The 1978 Defensive Player of the Year was a two-time first-team All-Pro and helped lead the Broncos franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance, a 27-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.

He spent his entire 10-year career with the Broncos and is the first “Orange Crush” member to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Former teammate and ESPN analyst Tom Jackson presented him for enshrinement.

Gradishar’s induction speech was centered around the theme of difference makers, which was inspired by a sermon series called “Built to Last” on the Book of Nehemiah that he heard at his Denver-area Brave Church. Gradishar used his speech to thank a variety of people — family members, coaches, prayer warriors — like Griffin who have had a significant impact on his life. His faith in God was a central theme throughout, and his Brave Church pastor, Jeff Schwarzentraub, was among those in attendance.

“I’m grateful to God for the key individuals He brought into my life — difference makers — because among other strengths, they are loyal and trustworthy,” Gradishar said.

Once he had finished thanking everyone, Gradishar concluded by sharing his life verses, Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

“Don’t work for status, power, wealth, materialism or people’s recognition,” Gradishar said while explaining what the verses meant to him. “All that is very, very temporary. But in all you are and all you do, work for God’s glory because He will give you an inheritance as your reward. A reward that’s built to last. That’s not my promise; that’s God’s promise.”

His biggest thank-you was saved for the very end.

“Today, I dedicate my Pro Football Hall of Fame 2024 induction to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave me His life so I could be built to last,” Gradishar said.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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