The Ohio native earned his acclaim as a linebacker for the Denver Broncos in the 1970s, when he was part of the so-called "Orange Crush" defense team. At one point in his speech, Gradishar heaped praise on his wife and his pastor for being his "key prayer warriors."

But it was former NFL running back Archie Griffin, with whom he attended Ohio State University, that he credited with extending the "best invitation I ever had," which was to join him for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bible study on campus.

Gradishar said, despite growing up in church, he never sat through a Gospel presentation—until attending that FCA meeting, where the message of salvation was explained to him.

"At age 22," he told Griffin from the platform, "I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior."

The newly minted Hall of Famer said he learned "four simple truths" at the FCA meeting in 1974... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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