John Lynch

John Terrence Lynch, Jr. is a retired professional football safety who spent the majority of his professional career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Lynch was renowned for his defensive capabilities; on NFL Network's "Top 10 Most Feared Tacklers" list, Lynch was ranked as the 10th most feared tackler.

Lynch was a nine-time pro-bowler and was selected to the first team All-Pro twice. He became a Super Bowl XXXVII champion with Tampa Bay in 2003. He also played for the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots before retiring as a free agent during the 2008 NFL season.

Six days after announcing his official retirement on November 17, 2008, Lynch joined the NFL on FOX broadcasting crew as a color commentator. He is paired with Chris Rose.

Lynch attended Torrey Pines High School in the Carmel Valley/Del Mar area of San Diego, CA where he also played quarterback.

College Career

Lynch starred in both baseball and football at Stanford. While there he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.


Baseball Career

Lynch was drafted as a pitcher by the Florida Marlins in the second round (66th overall) of the 1992 amateur draft. He threw the first pitch in the organization's history as a member of the Erie Sailors. He threw a 95mph strike. His jersey is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played two seasons in the minor leagues with the Sailors and Kane County Cougars, starting nine games and going 1-3 with a 2.36 earned run average.


Football Career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lynch was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (82nd pick overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft. Lynch played his first 11 seasons in the league with the Buccaneers.

In 2002, Lynch collected a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in San Diego, California. He was the first player to wear a microphone in the Super Bowl.

Lynch was released by the Buccaneers following the 2003 season for salary cap reasons.

Denver Broncos

Lynch signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos prior to the 2004 season, despite being courted by the New England Patriots.

In the 2005 NFL season, John Lynch nearly made his second Super Bowl, but the Broncos lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

He served as the Broncos defensive captain in 2006 and 2007. On July 31, 2008, Lynch was granted his release by the Broncos. Lynch said in a news conference that his lack of playing time heading into this season was a reason for his departure.

New England Patriots

Lynch visited with the New England Patriots on August 13, 2008, then agreed to a 1-year deal worth $1.5 million. However, on September 1, 2008, Lynch was released from the team.


Retirement

On November 17, 2008, while in Tampa, Lynch officially announced his retirement as a free agent and six days later he joined NFL on FOX in the broadcasting booth as a color commentator. He is paired with Chris Rose. His first game covered was the week 12, November 23, 2008, match-up of the Minnesota Vikings at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

John Lynch #47
Safety

Lynch and his wife, Linda, have four children: One son, Jake, and daughters, Lindsay, Lillian and Leah Rose, Linda played tennis at USC and was on the professional tour for two years.