As Friday night became Saturday at the homestead, TBS began airing Groundhog Day. In addition to being arguably the high point of the Harold Ramis-Bill Murray partnership — this was, after all, the film that combined subversiveness, compassion, surrealism and existentialism — its plot also gave me a humbling second thought about today’s Pro Football Hall of Fame possibilities for Randy Gradishar and Gary Zimmerman.
After all, the film Groundhog Day involves enduring the same set of circumstances with scarcely a hint of change. Only when Murray’s character, Phil Connors, learns how to enact change upon his static realm does he finagle a way out of his permament loop.
There is no such luxury for Zimmerman, Gradishar and the Broncos’ stable of decorated players whom, with the obvious exception of John Elway, have gone unrewarded by the Hall of Fame’s selection board.
The merits of both are well-documented. Among those eligible for selection, Zimmerman is the only offensive or defensive player to make two All-Decade teams and not earn entrance into the Hall of Fame.
Gradishar, meanwhile, was responsible for more takeaways between 1974 and 1983 — his 10 seasons in the league — than all but three other linebackers. Two of those are in the HoF — Steelers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham. Further, the man thought by many to be Gradishar’s lone contemporary as elite inside 3-4 linebackers, the New York Giants’ Harry Carson, has already made it into the Hall of Fame with a résumé that only surpasses Gradishar’s in two areas — number of years played and Super Bowls won. But Gradishar was a more prolific tackler than Carson and did play in just as many Super Bowls while making an equal number of playoff appearances — four seasons for each.
In the meantime, enjoy these short videos on Zimmerman and Gradishar and hope for the best.
I reckon that the inclusion of one or both in this year’s Hall of Fame class translates to between four and six additional hours of work. Consider me happy to take care of it if either of the two Broncos is called to gridiron immortality.
After all, Phil Connors eventually got out of his hellish repetition on Groundhog Day. So why can’t the Broncos’ relative paucity of Hall of Famers end today?
If this IS the day…For Randy…….I think a little celebration is in store for this evening.Zimmerman still has some years before he is to the point where Randy is. I think he will get in but I’m not sure the HOF has ever inducted two members of the same organization in the same year and for that sake I hope it’s Gradishar. I am also hoping that is Art Monks time as well. I think He and Randy are in the same boat as far as eligability?
Good Luck!
One of the biggest problems with the HOF is the politics it takes to get elected. This same politics allows some very undeserving to be elected. Michael Irvin, a twice convicted druggie, and Lynn Swann are the perfect examples of undeserving geeting elected. How does this happen? Michael Irvin had Troy Aikman as his “rabbi” (No slur intended.) and Troy used his almost constant presence on sports programs to plead his case to Irvin. Result, a twice convicted druggie elected to the HOF. Lynn Swann was a better than average number two receiver, but in reaality, hard an unimpressive number of catchers, yards and TDs. But, he had Terry Bradshaw as his rabbi and “boom”, he’s in the HOF. The Broncos do not have a rabbi and do they’ll continue to get screwed. I’m sure that John is doing some arm bending, but it’s behind the scene, not replayed ad nausium on TV. Let’s hope that when Shannon gets elected, he’ll be the rabbi the Broncos so desperately need.
It’s noon and the latest HOF members will be announced at 4:30 I think. Unfortunately, I feel it’ll be another sad day for the Broncos.
i tnink its a crock that randy is not in as well as zimm. we could make a case for atwater, and definitly T.D. but ther will always be the whole T.D. didnt play long enough, well theres this much to it elway wouldnt have a ring if it wasnt for T.D. plain and simple anybody that doesnt think that didnt watch the first three superbowls. randy was the best linbacker of his time. and zimms resume speaks for itself, i tnink we should riot outside of canton this year and every other year until we get some more respect! maybe even break in and steal Elways bust and then level the place and put elways bust on top of the rubble with a note saying from the pissed off bronco nation.(jus joking we shoulnt level the place but definitly riot!)
blue and orange till i die c’mon 6 lead us back to the promise land! peace out to the bronco faithfull!
I hope and pray that this is the year for Randy Gradishar. The more one looks back at all of the Bronco greats and all we have to show for it is John Elway in the “Pro football Hall of Fame” Make me think it is the “Hall of Shame”
Randy, You have always been a Hall of Fame player in my eyes. Good luck today.