Randy Gradishar is a badass

To restate the obvious, I’m no sports bro. I couldn’t tell you who the quarterback for my favorite team, the Denver Broncos, is. Nor the coach. As I age, I find I would rather read books and smoke cigars and hang with friends than I would watch football. If you’re a sports bro, you do you, boo. But I’m just not as big of a fan as I used to be.

In candor, I am somewhat turned off by the “wokeness” (I know that word triggers, but it’s my opinion and I am entitled to it) of the NFL. While my life is too short (nor would anyone care) to rage against them, I rarely consume the product they produce.

But I was a kid once, and a VERY AVERAGE football player for the Valley Vikings in the late 1970s through my senior season in 1980. Randy Gradishar was blue-collar, workin’ man’s linebacker for the Denver Broncos 1974 – 1983. He played for my favorite team during my rather unremarkable middle school and high school playing years for the Vikes, so in a way, we were contemporaries in our pursuit of a sport.

I watched him. Looked up to him. He hit like a truck and smiled on the sidelines. He was an all-pro, pro bowl, defensive player of the year stud. He was one of the stars on the “Orange Crush” defense and helped take the Broncos to their first Super Bowl in 1978.

Randy retired in 1983, finishing his career with the NFL record for most tackles all time with 2,049, and 20 interceptions, which he returned for 335 yards and three touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 72 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded 20 sacks. I sounded like a sports bro. Rest assured, I’m not – I cut-n-pasted it from Wiki.

As a radio talent, I met Randy a few times at different community events. Shook his hand. Told him I admired him when he played for the Broncos. I didn’t ask for pictures or autographs. While I am sure he would have gladly obliged, it seemed so trite. He was one of my heroes and I told him as much, although I am sure he doesn’t remember – he has probably heard that hundreds of times – deservedly so.

To me he was a fearless giant – a bonafide badass – that knocked running backs and quarterbacks on their butts and then lended them a hand as they got back on their feet. A gentleman. A hero. He made the Bronco Ring of Fame in 1989. He was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame numerous times, but it was not until just a few days ago that he was finally inducted.

I watched his speech at the induction ceremony with curiosity and was elated when I learned something unexpected about my boyhood hero. We’re also brothers. I’ll embed the entire speech below. It will start at the particular part I want you to hear. Standing in front of the cathedral of football, Randy lays yet another devastating blow to the wokeness of Goodell, his sponsors, and the spirit of the modern NFL and society itself by boldly – like a badass – proclaiming the Gospell of Jesus Christ…

Randy said it so succinctly, and I want to share his eloquent words here:

The Gospel was explained in four simple truths…

Truth 1: God created mankind in his image and that comes from Genesis 1:27. God loves us and offers a plan for our life.

Truth 2: Mankind’s problems are from Romans 3:23 – that we’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Therefore, we cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. Romans 6:23, for the wages of sin is death, our spiritual death.

Truth #3: God made a way. God in John 3:16 – that God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross – the darkest day in history – and Jesus’ resurrection earned Jesus the right to proclaim, “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through me.” That’s out of John 14:6.

And the fourth truth: Salvation requires turning to God. 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 plans for our life, not ours.

Randy Gradishar, on induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Preach, #53, preach!

For all those who want to tie their panties in a knot about Olympic telecasts that may or may not have blasphemed Christ (only He can levy that judgement, not us), we should take that energy and focus it on ourselves. Are we being like Broncos Badass Gradishar, standing boldly on the steps of the cathedral of football and proclaiming the gospell of Christ? Or are we shaking our fists at clouds?

Yes, we should call out and point out evil, but we should also be like Randy and use every opportunity – the platforms that God gives us – to proclaim the Good News of His Son. I’ll do that right now. If you don’t think you’re right with God – if He is missing in your life and you want to be born again in His Spirit, please bow your head and say this simple prayer that is said every week in my church…

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned and have lived life my own way, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your name, Amen. 

If you prayed that simple prayer and believe in Jesus’ ability to save you, then you are set free and will have eternal life. Call me. We’ll have coffee and chat. Get into a good, Bible preaching church. I attend Rez in Loveland, but there are many in Northern Colorado that will help you with your spiritual growth and walk with the Lord.

Randy Gradishar, thank you for your continued badassery. I look forward to spending an eternity worshipping the King with you in heaven. Maybe we can talk football, too.