John Lynch Denied (Again)
February 2nd, 2019
Passed over.
It is starting to become a sad February tradition.
Once again, the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters decided to deny former Bucs safety John Lynch a chance at immortality as they elected the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019 this afternoon.
Remember, a maximum of five players or coaches are elected each year (who at least had 80 percent of the votes from the 48 voters). This does not include contributors or senior-eligible nominees.
Per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter), the Class of 2019 includes tight end Tony Gonzalez, cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Ed Reed, center Kevin Mawae and cornerback Ty Law. In addition, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and Cowboys personnel chief Gil Brandt were elected as contributors. Former Chiefs safety Johnny Robinson was the senior candidate elected.
The voting began today with a list of 15 finalists or what is referred to as “in the room.” This list was whittled down to 10 and from that group of 10, five potential inductees are chosen after a yes/no vote, so long as the candidates receive at least 80 percent yes, they are inducted.
Veteran Tampa Bay voter and JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman could not attend today’s vote and make his pitch for Lynch due to a family medical issue. However, his speech was read by voter and former Bucs beat writer Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com. Williams, largely using Kaufman’s prepared speech, presented Lynch’s case to the voters on Kaufman’s behalf.
What is really sad to Joe is the number of times Lynch has been denied. He was a round of 15 finalist in 2014. All other finalists from that same year eventually were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
February 2nd, 2019 at 6:22 pm
John Lynch may very well have been the best tackling safety in the league, but I’m not sure that gives him the numbers that Hall voters need to elect a player they may have watched play in 15 games in his career, and half of those were in Denver. It’s the product of playing in football Siberia. If he played in NY, Pittsburg, Green Bay, he may have been a first ballot guy.
February 2nd, 2019 at 6:29 pm
Ty Law
Cmon man
February 2nd, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Sorry, John
Better luck next year. Go Bucs.
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:03 pm
you people need a history lesson…. bucs were a HORRIBLE team with a GREAT defense that won a pathetic 5 playoff games they DON’T DESERVE TO BE CONSIDERED WITH THE GREATEST THEY WARE UNDERACHIEVERS THAT WON A PATHETIC 5 PLAYOFF GAMES IN THEIR CAREERS…
Do a little research on what legends look like outside of sapp they are not wearing buc uniforms… brady is about to have as many super bowl rings as this franchise has playoff wins in 42 years. results not feelings
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:04 pm
Anyone else think the problem might be his story is still being written??
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:07 pm
Lynch was great but the Hall needs to be reserved for the elite of the elite
Hard to see national panelist putting in 3 players from a defense that only won one Lombardi
Love lynch and always thought he was a class guy but his numbers don’t stack up with being considered elite
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:12 pm
I agree with Loyal2theEnd…I think he’ll be able to pickup the pieces…beautiful family, 4 years left on 49er deal…TV gig if he ever wants one again…
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:16 pm
How much better statistically was Ronnie Lott?
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Well having to wait or not get in is because of the pathetic history of this even more pathetic franchise that’s been wrought with horrible owners players coaches and everything else wrong with a sports team.
If he were in NY yea he’d already be in.
Other than about 7 or 8 years this franchise has been a complete and utter dumpster fire.
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:23 pm
He belongs…he’ll get in.
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:33 pm
He needs to go work for the NFL Network then he’ll get in. It’s so F-ing political . You telling me TD had a better career than Edgerrin James .
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:35 pm
Time to dump Ira. Come on what has he been able to do. Get Brooks and saap. In? Really? Nothing he could screw up there. Lyn h needs a different supporter
First, Sapp as a first ballot Hall of Famer was a massive score for Ira, as Michael Strahan was left out in the cold wondering what happened. Second, Ira had a big challenge in presenting Ed Sabol, and he got him in. Also, Dungy took a few tries and you could make a case he was not deserving, which is another score for Ira, who is not the reason Lynch can’t get in.–Joe
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:37 pm
They weren’t going to induct 2 safety’s, and Ed Reed was pretty formidable to go up against. Maybe next season he’ll more serious consideration.
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:39 pm
With big names,
Goes the fame.
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:39 pm
correction* get more serious consideration
February 2nd, 2019 at 7:48 pm
This is very disheartening.
I think the national view of the defense we had here in Tampa in the late nineties early 2000s, is a little off the mark. They were incredible for almost a decade and had a couple of super stellar year (1999 and the super bowl season).
I hope Lynch and Ronde get in one day, but that seems like a long shot at this point.
February 2nd, 2019 at 8:46 pm
Very political indeed!
As I have said before, allow Barry Sanders to pitch for Johnny boy!
February 2nd, 2019 at 8:53 pm
I used to love watching Lynch just destroy people. He’s gonna be another one that might not get in because of the scheme and being a small football areas with no recognition. He was a hell of a player that made a lot people think twice about going over the middle.
One thing on Lynch that was really disappointing…. after retiring and going into broadcasting he would once and a while call Bucs game. He would constantly hammer the Bucs and never was the homer we needed on tv! I couldn’t believe he would always slam em when we needed a homer!! Good luck John hope you make it someday!
February 2nd, 2019 at 9:05 pm
Oh Dickman…making a run at Ira. He’s a treasure around here and getting both Sapp & Brooks on the 1st Ballot was no small feat. He’s the only Tampa-based Hall of Fame voter. You could no doubt get Lynch in due to your 3 month stint in Toastmasters and winning personality.
February 2nd, 2019 at 9:17 pm
Ty Law? – over Lynch???
Puh- lease. Such BS.
Should of known… The Hall of Shame is now turning Buccaneer dissing into an art form!
February 2nd, 2019 at 10:16 pm
@tmaxcon
Get your negative attitude out of here.
Now, to why I came here. I love John Lynch, he is my favorite player of all time. There are plenty of reasons/cases made that John Lynch should be in Canton. I hope some day this dream comes true.
Go BUCS!
February 2nd, 2019 at 10:37 pm
Stop it…Lott was all world. I’ve seen that dude lay out players in consecutive plays. Different era for sure but him along with Hanks brought fear.
February 2nd, 2019 at 10:51 pm
apparently, the history lesson needs to be given here. Heard of the 85 bears? One Year, one Lombardi. 2000 Ravens? Only the Bucs were to top defense from 1997-2005. It wasn’t just a couple of years. And the moron trying to compare the Bucs to the Pats, dude, the 49ers and Steelers together can’t hold a flame to the pats. stop comparing, they don’t compare in the HOF. The HOF is for the Best, the unique, and John Lynch was that. During the time he played, John Lynch was FEARED. Yes a D had to account for Brooks, and Sapp, but Lynch was a game changer. Go watch the 99 Divisional playoff game. Bucs were losing 13-0, looking like a one and done. Lynch picks off Brad Johnson, and spikes the ball in front of the Bucs bench. Bucs scored two TDs in the next couple drives to win the playoff game 14-13 to advance to NFC Championship game. Lets not forget, Lynch was a major component in the defense that shut down the greatest show on turf. With ANY, I repeat, ANY amount of offense, Bucs win that game and go to 1st Super Bowl. We can play what if till next year…but John Lynch is HOF material. The guy was special, not just good, he was an icon on that defense. If you think Ronde Barber belongs, and he may, Lynch belongs. Ira would have gotten him in, but Ira has his priorities straight. Good thing is, Lynch is in the public eye still, hell have another chance soon.
February 2nd, 2019 at 11:02 pm
The voters did not and still don’t watch Bucs games. Just admit it and stop #€@$ing pretending.
February 2nd, 2019 at 11:50 pm
@Nick
85 Bears have 3 defenders in the Hall of Fame
200 Ravens have 2 defenders in the Hall of Fame
Bears were better longer than the Ravens were but again Bucs had sparse post season success when they did get there with a dominant d. Hall of Fame is for the elite and those elite players are great in the post season look at Law intercepting Manning 3 times in the cold to help his team.
I think lack of team success is gonna keep Lynch and Ronde out
February 2nd, 2019 at 11:53 pm
Mike
Ronnie Lott is the greatest safety to have every played this game.
Considered by many to be one the Top-20 greatest players of all-time.
He’s the only defensive back to have made the following.
4x Pro Bowler & All-Pro @ LCB
2x Pro Bowler @ RCB
5x Pro Bowler & 4x All-Pro @ FS
1x Pro Bowler & All-Pro @ SS
He invented the term ALL-WORLD.
We’re not talking about a few highlight reels of him blasting a hand full of Kats.
Or him lighting-up a poor punter. Any & Everybody could get-it, with that brotha on the field.
February 3rd, 2019 at 12:06 am
His time will come as will Barbers.
February 3rd, 2019 at 12:18 am
Bucs defense was just as good as any other in NFL history the stats don’t lie. Take some time and look up their numbers.
February 3rd, 2019 at 2:13 am
He’ll get in in two years when Tampa hosts the Super Bowl.
Guaranteed.
February 3rd, 2019 at 4:35 am
Lynch absolutely deserves to be in. This is a travesty. Simeon Rice, Barber and to my mind Mike Alstott should also be in there. Sports Media is fickle. Maybe having a high-profile coach like Arians and some winning seasons will help shine the light on Bucs history more favorably and these guys will get their due
February 3rd, 2019 at 5:42 am
Saw this coming when Ira said he wasn’t going. Maybe next year.
February 3rd, 2019 at 7:20 am
It’s called the HALL OF FAME not the hall of VERY GOOD although Tony Dungy with his election did bring the standards down a bit.
February 3rd, 2019 at 7:41 am
Lynch will get in eventually. This was another tough year because you have two guys in Ed Reed and Tony G who are no doubt 1st ballot guys. The NFL has had many rule changes that favor the O. It will be interesting to see how D players compete in the future with the hall voters. The good news for Lynch is that his resume is terrific. He checks all the boxes. It will happen eventually.
February 3rd, 2019 at 9:10 am
He should of got in be Dawkins did if Super Bowl and pro bowls are part of the decision to put a player in
February 3rd, 2019 at 9:48 am
I am so disappointed at this oversight, I can’t stand NFL networks promoting of people they think should be in. Personally I think very and I mean very few should be first ballot. First Ballot of for those that transcend the game not just played to a very high level. Ed Reed was a good safety but didn’t transcend the game, same as Champ and Ty good but not Football altering. To much politics in HOF not enough actual knowledge of the game. It should be mostly players picking and a few media guys not the other way around if players even get to vote not positive on the procedure.
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:05 am
Racism
February 3rd, 2019 at 10:55 am
It’s a flawed system to begin with. Everyone else hates Tampa teams. It doesn’t matter what sport, they hate us. Refs especially hate Tampa. If votes were cast on how many slobber-knockers a player delivered, Lynch would have been a first ballot HOF’r. He could flat out lay the wood to players. John Lynch played the game like a real man, like the Chuck Knoll Steelers played defense. He was a badaxx in every sense of the word. If you came across the middle with John Lynch, there was a high probability that you would get knocked the F%*k out. That’s enough for me.
February 3rd, 2019 at 11:29 am
Hmmmnnn..Ty Law over Lynch?
OK..I’ve been numb ever since that blown interference call
Saints vs Rams…….Time for an early cocktail
February 3rd, 2019 at 12:14 pm
I agree with Conte. If Lynch had played in one of the major northeastern cities he would already be in. I appreciate Ira’s effort to help John’s cause. To somehow blame Ira for this is ridiculous…kind of like saying the Hall lowered their standards to allow Coach Dungy.
February 3rd, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Lynch needs a SB win as a GM….overall contributions to the game at that point would get him in. Right now, he’s a very good player….all time great Buc. But I never watched Lynch and thought he was HOF material. More like a Mike Vick of his era. Lots of highlights, great talent for that era….but just not HOF.
February 4th, 2019 at 6:54 am
As much as I love Lynch the one who belongs in the hall the most is Rice. It’s a disgrace that Rice hasn’t been voted in.