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.
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.