TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tearful Ex-Buc Lynch Announces Retirement

ADVERTISEMENT

By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2008

Updated: 11/17/2008 05:43 pm

TAMPA - Fifteen years after making his initial NFL stop against Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen, John Lynch tackled today's retirement ceremony with tears, humor and grace.

Lynch described the thrill of seeing the Bucs rise from perennial losers to Super Bowl champions but choked up a bit when mentioning the drive-by shooting death of former Denver teammate Darrent Williams.

Lynch, 37, announced his retirement at a news conference at the Bucs facility, officially ending a 15-year career as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in league annals.

"I spent 11 wonderful years here," Lynch said of beginning his career with the Bucs. This is where my career started. I have truly been blessed by living a childhood dream and playing in the NFL. I remember a core group of guys in Tampa believing we could change a culture of losing."

Lynch earned nine Pro Bowl berths, one off the record for the position held by Hall of Famer Ken Houston, and his release by the Bucs after the 2003 season triggered a local firestorm.

"In my book, he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer,'' Denver cornerback Dre Bly told the Rocky Mountain News. "I can tell my kids I played with John Lynch when he goes to the Hall of Fame.''

But entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is not assured, especially when Lynch first becomes eligible in 2013.

He will be competing for space on the Hall of Fame ballot with the likes of former Bucs teammate and defensive tackle Warren Sapp, former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan and Jonathan Ogden, a perennial Pro Bowl offensive tackle for the Ravens.

Quarterback Steve McNair will also be a first-time candidate, making for an especially powerful rookie class.

"In my mind, John's an absolute Hall of Famer,'' said Falcons president Rich McKay, the former Bucs general manager who saw Lynch, Sapp and Derrick Brooks develop as young defensive cornerstones in Tampa Bay's turnaround. "Hitting was part of the way he set the tone for our players and as good as he was on the field, he was the equal of that off the field. You feel privileged to know those kinds of people.''

After making the Pro Bowl in all four of his seasons with the Broncos, Lynch was released by the Patriots Aug. 31.

Lynch won't be out of work for long. He is expected to work Sunday's Vikings-Jaguars game at Jacksonville as a FOX analyst and the NFL Network may also be interested in the former Stanford standout, selected in the third round of the 1993 draft.

"My everlasting impression of John Lynch is not only of him as a player, but John Lynch the man,'' said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, a former Tampa Bay secondary coach. "He is the consummate professional, father and husband. He is an unbelievable guy whose character was displayed in everything he did off the field … and in every snap on the field."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT