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.
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Former NFL defensive lineman Bryant Young this year will become the 29th inductee into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. His name was among several former 49ers players listed among the 130 nominees listed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
Linebacker Patrick Willis was among the 25 players listed as modern-era semifinalists in November of 2019 but, shockingly to some, did not make the trimmed-down list of 15 in January.
Below are the former 49ers players among the most-recent nominees,
Dee Ford was among several San Francisco 49ers players who spoke with reporters via Zoom on Thursday. At the same time, general manager John Lynch was on KNBR discussing the team as it prepares for Week 1 on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Ford fought through injuries last season and then suffered what was reported as a calf injury during training camp. The good news is that he has practiced all week, hasn't appeared on any injury reports and seems to be set to play this weekend.
Ford said he hopes to be more available this season.
"When you're dealing with a calf, you don't want to risk it getting to that Achilles tendon," Ford said of the most recent
There is a lot of excitement to see what Jerick McKinnon can finally do within Kyle Shanahan's offense. That excitement grew as reports continuously spilled out of Santa Clara about how impressive the San Francisco 49ers running back looked during training camp.
McKinnon missed the past two seasons due to an ACL injury. In fact, assuming he plays, Sunday will be his first regular-season action with the 49ers after signing with the team in 2018.
General manager John Lynch joined KNBR on Thursday and was asked to share his thoughts on how McKinnon looked during training camp and whether or not he will be a big part of what the 49ers do this season.
"He's looked fantastic," Lynch responded on the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show. "And yes, I
