ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have selected Ring of Fame linebacker Randy Gradishar as the team's 2018 Salute to Service nominee, it was announced on Friday.

Gradishar spent 10 seasons (1974-1983) with the Broncos and was selected to seven Pro Bowls as a leader of the famed Orange Crush Defense. The 1978 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, Gradishar developed an appreciation for service members at an early age through his World War II veteran father.

Since his retirement from the NFL, Gradishar has participated in three USO tours visiting troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Between his several trips overseas, Gradishar has traveled more than 120,00 miles to show his support of active duty service men and women.

Gradishar's active community involvement with the Broncos organization includes volunteering at team-organized Salute to Service events. He has attended multiple military-themed events, including USAA Military Caravan tours, honoring troops at Fort Carson Army Base and Schriever Air Force Base (2015).

In 2017, Gradishar announced a Broncos' draft live from Pinion Canyon Maneuver Site (2017) on national television alongside soldiers from the base.

Currently, Gradishar serves as the Outreach Coordinator at Mt. Carmel Veteran's Service Center commuting 70 miles from Denver to Colorado Springs several days per week to assist 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.