John Lynch Is A Hall Of Famer; Year 8 Ends The Wait
February 6th, 2021
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
The wait is over for John Lynch. For Rondé Barber, it’s just beginning.
Barber will have his day in the Hall of Fame selection room, but Lynch will be celebrating his big day this August, surrounded by family, friends, former teammates and legions of Buc fans who make their way to Canton.
For two weeks, Lynch has known that he is one of five modern-day candidates who will be enshrined, joining Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson and Alan Faneca.
New Hall of Famer John Lynch, Buccaneers Ring of Honor member and the 49ers’ general manager. ”
That’s quite a class, one of the best in the Hall’s 58-year history.
In his fourth year of eligibility, Barber finally advanced to the group of 15 finalists. It shouldn’t have taken that long, but Barber is likely to return as a candidate for the Class of 2022 and his day is coming because he just might be the most complete cornerback this league has ever seen.
Lynch has been in ecstasy since Hall of Fame President David Baker flew out to his California home and knocked on the front door on Jan. 24.
“I almost sank to my knees when I saw him,” Lynch told me. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Thirteen seasons have passed since Lynch took off his NFL uniform for the final time. Soon, he will be fitted for a gold jacket.
For two days, Linda Lynch knew her husband was getting a bust in Canton. She was sworn to secrecy, but the Hall called her because Baker wanted to make sure John Lynch was home on that fateful Sunday.
So for 48 agonizing hours, Lynch’s wife stayed mum. She didn’t want to spoil the surprise and when Baker showed up with his film crew, John Lynch found himself totally unprepared.
That never happened on a football field.
Within an hour, head coach Kyle Shanahan, CEO Jed York and other members of the organization began a steady procession to the home of the 49ers GM, touching off a raucous celebration.
Yes, it had been worth the wait.
For each of the past eight years, I presented Lynch as a Hall of Fame nominee. This time around, there was a different level of optimism as 48 selectors met virtually on a Jan. 19 Zoom call instead of congregating in person on the day before the Super Bowl.
Following my 5-minute presentation, Lynch received support from 10 additional voters, including new selectors Tony Dungy and Bill Polian. That level of widespread advocacy is rare in a Hall of Fame meeting, generating a positive vibe.
But you never know.
Now, it’s official — John Lynch finally broke through after years of disappointment.
I can’t wait to head up to Canton in August to witness Lynch’s induction speech. You can bet that Dungy, the Glazer family and many former teammates from Tampa Bay and Denver will be there to cheer on the 9-time Pro Bowl safety.
Some Bronco fans will undoubtedly make the trek, but they will be drowned out by Buc supporters who will never forget the key role Lynch played on the best defense of its era.
Lynch joins Warren Sapp (2013) and Derrick Brooks (2014) as modern-day Bucs in the Hall. If, as John Madden suggests, those busts talk to each other at night, you will soon hear Tampa Bay’s three amigos chanting in unison:
POUND THAT ROCK.
Next Up
Simeon Rice is still waiting for an opportunity to have his compelling case heard in the Hall of Fame room. The good news is Barber just made the big leap from one of 25 semifinalists to the final 15. I’d be surprised if he’s not back in the room where it happens next year, when the Super Bowl shifts to Los Angeles.
The more you look at Barber’s unique career, the more there is to marvel at. He should gain more traction in 2022, when the group of first-year eligibles is led by DeMarcus Ware, a 9-time Pro Bowl linebacker who averaged 11.5 sacks during a 12-year career.
Lynch will be in the stadium Sunday, introduced before the game along with his fellow inductees. The ovation should be long and loud for an iconic Buccaneer who will be the first to tell you it was worth the wait.
Next stop, Canton.
It’s Ira! Stop in and ask for Ira’s good friend Sean Sullivan, the Bill Currie Ford general manager, for a JoeBucsFan discount. He will help you personally in person or by phone and email.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:28 pm
YES!!!!
Watching it right now!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Fantastic!!!!
Congratulations John!!!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:30 pm
YESSSSSS!!!!!
Respect for that Bucs Defense.
The best defense EVER!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:31 pm
Now it’s time for #20.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:31 pm
Fantastic!!!
He gets to be introduced at the Super Bowl, in his home stadium, with the Buccaneers playing!
Unreal.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:32 pm
Way to go Ira!!! Your persistence has paid off 47 in the hall!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:34 pm
Next up Barber then Rice!
Then the last decade with no Buccaneers…
But I imagine sometime in the 2030’s Michael Evans will be going in
February 6th, 2021 at 10:36 pm
Well deserved. Congratulations #47
February 6th, 2021 at 10:37 pm
Well deserved
Ronde definitely deserves to be in too
February 6th, 2021 at 10:38 pm
Bucs QB will go in five years after he retires in 2035.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Finally. Now Ronde and Simeon. It’s time for that great team, that defensive era to be recognized.
GO BUCS!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Then surely Barber gets in soon.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:44 pm
Well deserved.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:45 pm
John has always been an idol of mine. I played and always tried to crush people like him in football. Congrats #47 you deserve to be in the Hall of Fame! Go Bucs!!
February 6th, 2021 at 10:50 pm
No one i enjoyed watching play more.
February 6th, 2021 at 10:58 pm
Congrats #47
Great work Ira!!
February 6th, 2021 at 11:03 pm
I purposely didn’t watch this year because every time I do it doesn’t happen. Yes I’m a superstitious Cuban girl. This article brought a tear to my eye thinking about how emotional it’s going to be on the field tomorrow. My goodness this like a fairy tale ✨
February 6th, 2021 at 11:06 pm
Man I’m so happy for him and us. I was pissed off when we let him walk into free agency. Bucs thought his neck was toast and couldn’t play anymore. That was a mistake. But he a Buc through and through and now our 4 hall of famer!! Were starting to catch up. So far 3 HOFs from our great defense. Think about how many are on our current team. The lights are bright!!
February 6th, 2021 at 11:26 pm
2002 Bucs defense is the best passing defense in the history of the NFL, and easily one of the best defenses in NFL history – and they played real competition, they didn’t pad their stats like the overhyped 2000 Ravens shutting out an expansion team twice a year.
February 7th, 2021 at 12:00 am
Howard needs a reference for a job interview
February 7th, 2021 at 12:17 am
Congratulations, Ira. You delivered!
February 7th, 2021 at 12:51 am
Hopefully Rondé doesn’t take you quite as long…
I love Lynch, but Barber > Lynch. All day. Especially in today’s NFL
February 7th, 2021 at 1:06 am
I hope it’s ok to share this story about Lynch. I do live event production and after John was cut from the Bucs and went to Denver, the next time he came back to Tampa, he did it to speak at a charity event. I was running camera. John got choked up saying he never wanted to leave Tampa, and that he was a Buc forever. Bruce Allen stupidly let him go, but I’m so happy for him today. Great player, great man and very deserved that he gets a gold jacket.
February 7th, 2021 at 1:15 am
I went to Canton for Sapp and Brooks inductions into the HOF. Cant wait to go for Lynch.
February 7th, 2021 at 1:46 am
Awesome! Great work Ira. You did a helluva job! Next year it will be Ronde’s turn!
February 7th, 2021 at 1:48 am
Great job Ira, Lynch was certainly deserving. Lynch got in 8 years too late, due to rampant cronyism, voters that don’t deserve their media credentials, and the “holier than thou” sentiment that sadly permeates through far too many folks that live in the Northeast. Better late than never.
Barber and Rice got screwed again in favor of lesser playes, but that is what I have come to expect. Maybe Dungy and Polian can team with Ira, plus a few others to bring some credibility to the process. 😜
February 7th, 2021 at 2:03 am
Way to go IRA!
Ronde is next!
Then Sim.
February 7th, 2021 at 3:11 am
About f—ing time for #47!!! Congratulations, Mr John Lynch!!!
February 7th, 2021 at 4:46 am
Congrats Mr Lynch! Great job Ira! You stayed the course, pounded the table so many times it began to buckle…mission accomplished. Mr Barber is next and he will make it very soon. His numbers are just too good to ignore. What a great start to Super Bowl Sunday! Let’s go Bucs!
February 7th, 2021 at 5:02 am
ira X lynch = hof
February 7th, 2021 at 5:24 am
ira i think john owes you one jumbo extra lean pastrami on rye with mustard, some half sour pickles and a dr. browns soda of your choice (just not celery)
#LynchCertainlyDeservesTheNod #GoodJobIra
#CongratsToBothOfYa #RondeIsNext
February 7th, 2021 at 5:30 am
Lynch touched my family. My nephew received the one of his family legacy scholarships back in 2009 or 2010. He still runs the program in Tampa and Denver.
I always will have great respect for him as a player and a community man.
February 7th, 2021 at 5:44 am
Ira, you did it — persistently and passionately. Knowing you were the presenter, none of us, John included, really ever gave up hope. Cheers to John!! And cheers to Ira!! Seeing #47 in his newly-donned gold jacket for the very first time in his old stadium seems fated. It’s moving. Let’s go get a Super Bowl win for him, you and all of us longtime Buc’s fans. This feels magical, too.
February 7th, 2021 at 7:11 am
Great to see my ALL-TIME FAVORITE #47 John Lynch get that well deserved call to the Hall. Now to complete the weekend sweep. can’t wait to hear…BUCS WIN, BUCS WIN…FIRE THOSE CANONS! GO BUCS
February 7th, 2021 at 2:10 pm
Sporting my John Lynch jersey to watch the game today…
Thanks Ira for all that you do.