Randy Gradishar named best player in NFL history to wear No. 53
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar recently revealed his list of the best players to wear each jersey number in NFL history.
For jersey No. 53, Farrar picked former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar.
Gradishar was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 after he led the famous “Orange Crush” defense to Denver’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Gradishar totaled a franchise-record 2,049 tackles in 10 seasons while adding 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries before retiring at age 31.
The recognition from Farrar is nice, but Gradishar also deserves recognition from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The fact that Gradishar doesn’t already have a spot in Canton is a terrible oversight by Hall of Fame voters.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Gradishar is a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.
In addition to Gradishar, four other Broncos were named the best players to ever wear their respective numbers: outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94), running back Terrell Davis (30), quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and quarterback John Elway (7).
To view the full list of the best players to wear each number in NFL history, visit Touchdown Wire.
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