Joe Rizzo

Joe Rizzo (born December 17, 1950) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Merchant Marine Mariners. He played for the Broncos from 1974 to 1980 and started in Super Bowl XII as a member of their famous Orange Crush Defense. He had nine career interceptions, and was part of one of the most dominant linebacker corps in NFL history. Known as the Orange Crush, it consisted of Rizzo, Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson and Bob Swenson. The group was named the ninth-best linebacker corps in NFL history. Rizzo was also voted by Bronco fans as one of the top 10 linebackers in the 50-year history (1959–2009) of the Denver Broncos.