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The Denver Broncos soon will see their first player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Randy Gradishar won't be part of that class.
The standout linebacker wasn't among the 15 finalists announced Wednesday by
the selection committee.
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Former Broncos quarterback John Elway and former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, as expected, were included in the elite group - in their first year of eligibility. Tickets
So was former Broncos Pro Bowl left tackle Gary Zimmerman, a finalist for the
second year in a row.
The Board of Selectors will meet Jan. 31 in Houston to elect the Hall of Fame
Class of 2004.
To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent.
At least three candidates must be elected, but the total class cannot number
more than six.
Elway, who led the Broncos to Super Bowl victories in his final two seasons
after being on the losing end in his first three attempts, is considered a lock.
With 51,475 passing yards, he ranks second in NFL history to Dan Marino. Sanders
ranks third all-time in rushing with 15,269 yards.
Elway was believed to be golfing in the Bahamas on Wednesday, and a spokesperson
said the former QB will not talk about it until the final vote is announced.
Gradishar, while happy for Elway and Zimmerman, said he was disappointed he
failed to make the next cut after doing so last year.
Another former Broncos linebacker, Karl Mecklenburg, also did not make the cut
to 15.
"There's still next year, so I'm glad for those guys," Gradishar said.
Actually, because the Hall extended eligibility by five years to 25 years after
retirement, Gradishar has until 2008 to be elected before becoming a senior
nominee, a route typically seen as tougher.
But Joe Horrigan, vice president for the Hall of Fame, said a new rule makes
it somewhat easier for senior candidates to be recognized.
In the past, only one nominee came out of that category. Now the selectors are
required to recommend two senior candidates as finalists.
This year, Philadelphia offensive tackle Bob Brown and Dallas wide receiver
Bob Hayes were selected as senior candidates.
The other finalists announced Wednesday were defensive ends Richard Dent, Carl
Eller and Jim Marshall; linebacker Harry Carson; offensive linemen Bob Brown,
Bob Kuechenberg and Rayfield Wright; cornerback Lester Hayes; safety Cliff Harris;
wide receiver Art Monk and team/league administrator George Young.
Zimmerman, reached at his home in Oregon, said he was "honored" by
his finalist selection.
"But I'm not getting my hopes up too high," said Zimmerman, noting
he will not attend the Houston news conference. "The odds of two players
from one team being selected are pretty tough. John is pretty much a given."
Cornerback Willie Brown and running back Tony Dorsett played for Denver and
are enshrined in Canton, Ohio, but neither made his mark with the Broncos.
Elway, who spent his 16-year career in Denver, would be the first such Broncos
player inducted.
Asked if the window to get in is closing on Gradishar, Zimmerman said he hoped
that isn't the case.
"That's the thing I'm worried about," he said. "If you don't
make it last year and don't make it this year, the longer you go, the more people
(who are in the pool). It's sad it happens that way, but that's the way things
are."
Gradishar said all he can do is wait until next year "and hope my number
comes up."
The extension of the eligibility requirement gives him reason for optimism.
Enshrinement of the Class of 2004 will take place Aug. 8 at the Pro Football
Hall of Fame.