The centerpiece of the Orange Crush defense and two former coaches who led the Broncos to the Super Bowl are one step closer to being immortalized in Canton.
Randy Gradishar, Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan were named semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 on Thursday. Gradishar was one of 25 semifinalists in the seniors category, while Reeves and Shanahan were two of 29 semifinalists in the coach/contributor category.
Gradishar, a first-round pick by Denver in 1974, spent his entire 10-year career with the Broncos. The linebacker was a seven-time Pro Bowler and the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.