RANDY GRADISHAR, NFL LEGEND
The Denver Broncos are proud to nominate Broncos Ring of Fame linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Finalist Randy Gradishar for the Salute to Service Award in recognition of his commitment to honor, empower and connect service members, veterans and their families. While at The Ohio State University, Gradishar joined ROTC expecting to be drafted and follow in the footsteps of his father and uncles who were WWII veterans. Although his number was not called, he has continued to honor service members. After his retirement from the NFL, he participated in three USO tours visiting troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Gradishar also continues to support team military outreach by hosting service members at select practices and visiting local Colorado bases, including Fort Carson during the 2022 Salute to Service Caravan presented by USAA. He has also participated in many Welcome Home ceremonies at Fort Carson and honored service members as they were reconnected with their loved ones. His support extends beyond Salute to Service month, as Gradishar continues to serve as the Outreach Coordinator at Mt. Carmel Veteran's Service Center where he empowers and assists veterans in adjusting back to civilian life. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and assistance to veterans, military members and their families. For these reasons and more, Gradishar has earned the Denver Broncos' nomination for the 2023 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.