The annual selection meeting capped a year-round selection process. The newly elected Hall of Famers were chosen from a list of 18 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. Representatives of the accounting firm EY tabulated all votes during the virtual meeting.
The Class of 2021 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during “the greatest gathering of football” inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021.
JOHN LYNCH
Safety … 6-2, 214 … Stanford … 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
15 seasons, 224 games … Selected by Buccaneers in 3rd round (82nd player overall) in 1993 NFL Draft … Vital addition to Bucs defense that soon dominated NFL … Earned permanent starting role in fourth pro season, racked up more than 100 tackles and tied career-high with three interceptions … From that point forward, was anchor of secondary on a defense that perennially ranked among NFL’s best … Voted to first of nine Pro Bowls following 1997 season … Earned All-Pro recognition three consecutive years (1999-2001) … In 2002, was integral part of Buccaneers’ championship season capped with franchise’s first Super Bowl title … Contributed 96 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions and 12 passes defensed as Bucs finished 12-4 … In postseason, added five tackles in divisional playoff, six tackles in championship game and one tackle and pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXVII victory … Signed as free agent with Denver in 2004 … Played final four seasons of 15-year career with Broncos … Helped lead Broncos to conference championship game in second season … That year, recorded career-high four sacks, intercepted two passes, forced four fumbles and racked up 69 tackles … Added three solo tackles, one assist and one pass defensed in 1995 AFC Championship Game … In all, recorded 26 interceptions, returned for 204 yards, 13 sacks and more than 1,000 tackles … Credited with 90 or more tackles in a season nine times … Born Sept. 25, 1971 in Hinsdale, Illinois.
COURTESY PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
