JOHN LYNCH: “[I am] honored to be included with these great players”

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?!

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