JOHN LYNCH: “[I am] honored to be included with these great players”
May 18, 2016, 11:34 AM | Updated: Jul 12, 2016, 3:40 pm
The Denver Broncos announced on Tuesday that they were electing 3 former players into their Ring Of Fame: Jason Elam, Simon Fletcher and John Lynch… Wait, John Lynch?!
Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Many people were upset about the announcement of John Lynch’s name being placed on the Ring Of Fame, when there’s “more deserving” former Broncos that should be up there.
Mark Schlereth and Mike Evans took on the debate of whether or not John should be in the sacred ring. Mark Schlereth said, “John Lynch was a difference maker… so what, he only made that difference for 4 years. It’s still one of those things that sends ripples throughout that organization, from a culture standpoint, from an integrity standpoint, and from a team building standpoint. And that’s why John Lynch is going in as a Ring Of Famer…. because when he put his cleats on the grass, he was awesome!“
To allow the conversation to come full circle, Mark and Mike had John Lynch on their show. So what does John think about the haters who say he shouldn’t be in the Ring Of Fame? “I didn’t induct myself, I was inducted by a group“, Lynch said with a chuckle.
John also said, “I hope I was impactful in my 4 years, and am honored to be included with these great players“.
John Lynch went to 4 Pro Bowls as a Denver Bronco… that’s every year that he was part of the Denver Broncos. Pretty good. Other former Broncos who went to 4 Pro Bowls with the team were: Champ Bailey, Trevor Pryce and Tom Nalen. Steve atwater and Shannon Sharpe went to 7 apiece.
At the end of the day, you have the right to your opinion. In fact, some conspiracy theorists think the reason Lynch is going into the Broncos Ring Of Fame, as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring Of Fame, is so it makes it a “no brainer” for him to get into the Hall Of Fame.
Okay, whatever. All I know is, looking at the chart below, John Lynch is in some good company.
DENVER BRONCOS RING OF FAME
| Name | Pos. | Yrs. w/Broncos | Year Inducted |
| Jason Elam | K | 1993-2007 | 2016 |
| Simon Fletcher | LB | 1985-95 | 2016 |
| John Lynch | S | 2004-07 | 2016 |
| Pat Bowlen | Owner | 1984-pres. | 2015 |
| Dan Reeves | Coach | 1981-92 | 2014 |
| Rick Upchurch | WR | 1975-83 | 2014 |
| Gene Mingo | HB/K | 1960-64 | 2014 |
| Tom Nalen | C | 1994-2008 | 2013 |
| Rod Smith | WR | 1994-2007 | 2012 |
| Shannon Sharpe | TE | 1990-99, 2002-03 | 2009 |
| Terrell Davis | RB | 1995-2002 | 2007 |
| Steve Atwater | S | 1989-98 | 2005 |
| Gary Zimmerman | T | 1993-97 | 2003 |
| Karl Mecklenburg | LB | 1983-94 | 2001 |
| Dennis Smith | S | 1981-94 | 2001 |
| John Elway | QB | 1983-98 | 1999 |
| Louis Wright | CB | 1975-86 | 1993 |
| Tom Jackson | LB | 1973-86 | 1992 |
| Randy Gradishar | LB | 1974-83 | 1989 |
| Craig Morton | QB | 1977-82 | 1988 |
| Haven Moses | WR | 1972-81 | 1988 |
| Jim Turner | K | 1971-79 | 1988 |
| Billy Thompson | S | 1969-81 | 1987 |
| Charley Johnson | QB | 1972-75 | 1986 |
| Paul Smith | DT | 1968-78 | 1986 |
| Frank Tripucka | QB | 1960-63 | 1986 |
| Gerald H. Phipps | Owner | 1961-81 | 1985 |
| Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin | S | 1960-66 | 1984 |
| Rich Jackson | DE | 1967-72 | 1984 |
| Floyd Little | RB | 1967-75 | 1984 |
| Lionel Taylor | WR | 1960-66 | 1984 |
Listen to John’s full interview below.
**Written by Scott DeHuff
