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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- **Hiring a Pro Football Hall of Famer to be your general manager has been a successful recent trend. Two of the last four Super Bowls were won by teams with Hall of Fame players making the personnel calls -- Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore and, of course, John Elway in Denver.
For the San Francisco 49ers and John Lynch, one key part of that equation is missing -- that Lynch isn't a Hall of Famer. That's something that everyone associated with the nine-time Pro Bowler hopes to see change on Saturday when the Hall of Fame selection committee meets in Houston.
Check out the best photos of John Lynch, a 2020 finalist for selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Denver Broncos held a press conference at their Dove Valley facility to announce the signing of John Lynch.
The Denver Broncos held a press conference at their Dove Valley facility to announce the signing of John Lynch.
The Denver Broncos held a press conference at their Dove Valley facility to announce the signing of John Lynch.
John Lynch and Champ Bailey chat before the start of the game during the preseason NFL game against the Washington Redskins on August 9, 2004 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
John Lynch moves in to make a play during the preseason NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on August 15, 2004 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
John Lynch drops back into pass coverage during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch heads into the locker room before the start of the pre game ceremonies during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 26, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch runs onto the field during the player introductions during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 26, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (motion blur effect)
John Lynch surveys the line of scrimmage during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 26, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
Al Wilson and John Lynch converge to stop a Chargers ball carrier during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 26, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch runs onto the field during the player introductions during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on September 26, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch at his safety position during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 3, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
John Lynch stuffs Mike Alstott during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 3, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
John Lynch stuffs Mike Alstott during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 3, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
John Lynch can''t hide his emotions after his new team defeated his old team in Tampa Bay during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 3, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Denver Bronco safety John Lynch is nearly brought to tears after fans in Tampa Bay applauded the former 11 year Buccaneer veteran as he left the field Sunday night during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 3, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
John Lynch greets ex-Buccaneers teammate Warren Sapp after the game during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 17, 2004 at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California.
John Lynch moves in to make a play during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2004 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Images of John Lynch taken for the cover story for Broncos Gameday Magazine.
John Lynch and Donnie Spragan during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 28, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 28, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 28, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch and Kelly Herndon during the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 28, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch helps up Drew Brees during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 5, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
John Lynch sacks Drew Brees during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 5, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
John Lynch and Drew Brees during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 5, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
John Lynch during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on December 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch pressures AJ Feeley during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on December 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on December 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
John Lynch makes a tackle. 12/12/2004
Denver Broncos 20 vs. Miami Dolphins 17
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Denver, CO
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
John Lynch sacks AJ Feeley for a loss. 12/12/2004
Denver Broncos 20 vs. Miami Dolphins 17
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Denver, CO
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on December 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
Jake Plummer celebrates the Broncos victory with John Lynchduring the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans on December 25, 2004 at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee.
John Lynch flattens Dallas Clark with a huge hit. Lynch was later fined $75,000 for this illegal hit. 01/02/2005
Denver Broncos 33 vs. Indianapolis Colts 14
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Denver, CO
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
John Lynch makes a one-handed tackle. 01/02/2005
Denver Broncos 33 vs. Indianapolis Colts 14
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Denver, CO
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
John Lynch greets Peyton Manning during the opening coin toss during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 2, 2005 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
08/27/05: Denver Broncos 37 vs Indianapolis Colts 24 pre season game at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO.
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
08/27/05: Denver Broncos 37 vs Indianapolis Colts 24 pre season game at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO.
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
02 September 2005: Denver Broncos VS. Arizona Cardinals Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ Trevor Brown, Jr./Rich Clarkson & Associates.
11 Sept 2005: Denver Broncos 10 @ Miami Dolphins 34
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
18 September 2005: The Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers player at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 20-17. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates
18 September 2005 Invesco Field at Mile High Denver, CO Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers Denver 20, San Diego 17 Trevor Brown, Jr./Rich Clarkson & Associates.
26 Sept 2005: Denver Broncos 30 vs. Kansas City Chiefs 10
Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
09/26/05: The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-10 on a monday night match up at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO.Sep
02 OCT 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-7 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
09 OCT 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the Washington Redskins 21-19 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
16 October 2005: The Denver Broncos defeat the New England Patriots 28-20 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates
16 October 2005: The Denver Broncos defeat the New England Patriots 28-20 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates
16 October 2005: Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots Denver 28, New England 20. Invesco Field at Mile High Trevor Brown, Jr./Rich Clarkson and Associates
Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ 23-OCT-2005 CREDIT: Trevor Brown, Jr/Rich Clarkson and Associates
30 October 2005: The Denver Broncos defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 49-21 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates
30 OCT 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 49-21 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Justin Tafoya/Rich Clarkson and Associates
30 OCT 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 49-21 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
20 NOV 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the New York Jets 27-0 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
24 NOV 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-21 in overtime on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas, TX.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
31 DEC 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
31 DEC 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
31 DEC 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
31 DEC 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
31 DEC 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
14 JAN 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates
14 JAN 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates
14 JAN 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 27-13 in the AFC Divisional Playoff at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. The Broncos victory advanced them to the AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
14 JAN 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 27-13 in the AFC Divisional Playoff at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. The Broncos victory advanced them to the AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
14 JAN 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 27-13 in the AFC Divisional Playoff at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. The Broncos victory advanced them to the AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
14 JAN 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patritos in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO.
Photo: Justin Tafoya/Rich Clarkson and Associates
HONOLULU - FEBRUARY 12: Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos National Football Conference NFC All-Stars runs back an intercepted pass at the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 12, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 23-17. (Photo by Paul Spinelli/Getty Images) * Local Caption* Champ Bailey
17 SEPT 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC
17 SEPT 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC
24 SEPT 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC
09 OCT 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the Baltimore Ravens at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC
2006 OCT 09: The Denver Broncos defeated the Baltimore Ravens 13-3 during the NFL Monday Night football game at Invesco Field in Denver, CO. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
15 OCT 2006: The Denver Broncos take on the Oakland Raiders at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC
20061015: The Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 13-3 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates
12 November 2006: The Denver Broncos play the Oakland Raiders in week 10 NFL action at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CA. Trevor Brown, Jr./Rich Clarkson & Associates, LLC
2006 NOV 19: The Denver Broncos were defeated by the San Diego Chargers 35-27 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
2006 DEC 17: The Denver Broncos deafeated the Arizona Cardinals 37-20 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
24 DEC 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-23 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
24 DEC 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-23 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
24 DEC 2006: The Denver Broncos defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-23 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Jamie Schwaberow/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
24 December 2006: The Denver Broncos play the Cincinnati Bengals in week 16 NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Trevor Brown, Jr./Rich Clarkson & Associates, LLC.
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Denver Bronco safety John Lynch and teammates bring down Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson behind the line of scrimmage.
Denver Broncos in action against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium September 9, 2007
Denver Broncos in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Invesco Field September 23, 2007
Denver Bronco safety John Lynch and the defensive corp stops Green Bay running back Deshaun Wynn on the Green Bay one yard line in first half action at Invesco Field.
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It's already been a life-changing week for Lynch, with word breaking Sunday night that he agreed to a six-year contract with the 49ers to become their general manager. Now, as he begins the process of rebuilding the 49ers from the ashes of a 2-14 season, he hopes he will tackle that job with a gold jacket in his closet.
For the fourth consecutive year, Lynch is among the 15 finalists for up to five spots from the primary selection pool. And even though he played most of his career (10 seasons) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lynch's perennial finalist status and potential Hall selection likely would not be as viable without closing his career with four consecutive Pro Bowl selections after joining the Broncos in 2004.
This year, he heads into the process as one of just a handful of players to earn induction into two individual teams' commemoration of their greatest players. Just a week and a half after the Broncos inducted Lynch into their Ring of Fame, the Buccaneers made him the newest member of their Ring of Honor. That put Lynch alongside Pro Football Hall of Famers such as Charles Haley, Paul Warfield, Vince Lombardi, Jim Ringo, Sonny Jurgensen, Reggie White, Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk.
If Lynch is inducted, he will become the first pure safety to have played since 1981 to earn induction into the Hall of Fame. All of the other safeties to play in the last 36 years and join the Hall of Fame were also cornerbacks for a substantial portion of their careers.
"I think that's the sentiment that I feel most strongly about, and I've communicated [it] when asked by the Hall of Fame writers, that, hey, I certainly would like if it was me, but I think this is something that needs to change," Lynch said last year after being named a finalist for the third time. "That argument really doesn't hold water with me.
"Maybe at one point that position was one that wasn't of great import in football and on defenses, but I think as anyone has seen the position evolve -- and that's where I feel fairly good about being a part of that position changing, because early in football, they were just kind of a last line of defense."
Lynch is also one of two players at any position with at least nine Pro Bowl selections and two or more years in which he was a first-team All-Pro. The other, Brian Dawkins, is a first-time Hall finalist this year.
For three consecutive years, Lynch has come close. Now it should be his time.
