Fansided

30 biggest Hall of Fame snubs in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 27: Randy Gradishar #52 of the Denver Broncos fights off the block of Ed White #67 of the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game September 27, 1981 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1974-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 27: Randy Gradishar #52 of the Denver Broncos fights off the block of Ed White #67 of the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game September 27, 1981 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Gradishar played for the Broncos from 1974-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

9. Randy Gradishar

It’s shocking that Randy Gradishar doesn’t have a bust and a gold jacket because he was one of the best linebackers of the 1970s.

In his second season in 1975, he earned his first Pro Bowl bid with Denver and was already one of the best middle linebackers in the sport. In 1977 and ‘78, he was named All-Pro. Gradishar had the misfortune of playing in the AFC while the Steelers and Raiders dominated the decade, and the Broncos never found any sort of consistent success throughout the decade. If Denver was able to take a step forward in that time and win the Super Bowl against Dallas, odds are that Gradishar may have gotten more looks at getting into the Hall of Fame.

Even without a Hall of Fame berth, Gradishar is one of the best Broncos of all time, and certainly was the franchise’s best player during his 10 seasons with the team. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, as well as a two-time All-Pro, and won the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year. Had Denver been able to finish the job against the Cowboys, maybe Gradishar would be in the Hall of Fame instead of being on this list.

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