John Lynch was an All-Pro NFL safety, a well-respected analyst during game broadcasts on
FOX, and, for almost a week, has been the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. He was waiting to receive word on whether or not he would become a Pro Football Hall of Fame player. Unfortunately, Lynch failed to make the final vote on Saturday, per
Pro Football Talk. Former 49ers receiver
Terrell Owens also failed to make it in for the second time in as many years.
Before he was the 49ers general manager or appeared in the television broadcast booth, Lynch enjoyed a 15-year career as a safety in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos. In 2016, he was inducted into both teams' Rings of Honor.
A four-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Lynch played in 224 games and started 191. During those games, he amassed 1,277 tackles, 13.0 sacks, 26 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and 100 passes defended. Lynch also started all 12 playoff games in which he appeared and tallied 71 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defended. He was a captain on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl XXXVII Championship team.
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John Lynch during Super Bowl XXXVII - Tampa Bay Times
Lynch was the recipient of the 2006 Bart Starr Award, which is voted upon by players throughout the NFL and recognizes a player who shows outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. He was also presented with The Byron "Whizzer" White Award, which is given annually to the NFL player who serves his team, community, and country in the spirit of Bryon Raymond White.
Lynch was drafted out of Stanford, where he played one season for Cardinal and former 49ers head coach Bill Walsh, by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft.
"During his 15 seasons as an NFL player, John epitomized what is so special about the game of football," said 49ers CEO Jed York via a statement issued by the team on Monday. "A world-class competitor, his love and respect for the sport are unmatched, and you would be hard-pressed to find anyone in league circles who does not have great respect for his work ethic and passion. Having already helped lead a team to a Super Bowl title as a player, John is equipped with tremendous insight into what it takes to create a culture that breeds sustained success."
Last year, legendary former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
was inducted as the sole candidate for the class of 2016 in the contributor category, which honors individuals who made outstanding contributions to professional football in capacities other than playing or coaching.
Related News
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its list of 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2021, and there are three familiar names for San Francisco 49ers fans. Current general manager and former hard-hitting safety, John Lynch, is among the list. As are former 49ers defenders Patrick Willis and Bryant Young.
BREAKING: 4 first-year eligible players are among the list of 25 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists for the Class of 2021.More on the semifinalists:
Last week, John Lynch offered a vote of confidence in his quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. But it came after the general manager admitted that the San Francisco 49ers were scouting college quarterbacks.
To many, the comments didn't mean much. Lynch says the 49ers always scout quarterbacks each year. One good fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan might be BYU's Zach Wilson. So, of course, VP of player personnel Adam Peters traveling to watch BYU made headlines.
"Here's what I know about Jimmy Garoppolo, and I think I've been consistent," Lynch said last week during a KNBR interview. "We're a better football team when he's out there. We win a lot of games when he's out
General manager John Lynch revealed that San Francisco 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street won't be fined for his hit on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. This past weekend, the 49ers defender blew through Saints rookie guard Cesar Ruiz on his way to leveling the quarterback, only to draw a roughing-the-passer penalty.
Brees ended up leaving the game with what was later diagnosed as a collapsed lung and fractured ribs.
Any fan who watched the play saw a properly executed sack from Street. However, the 6-foot-2 and 290-pound defender packs a wallop with each hit.
"[The penalty was] a shame for a couple of reasons," Lynch said Wednesday on KNBR's Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show. "Number one, I think it was a very pivotal point in
