Eventually, players who keep banging at the door for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame kick it in and receive their deserved inclusion.
So it seems a matter of when, not if, Ring of Fame safety John Lynch joins the game's immortals in Canton, Ohio, at some point. A five-time finalist for selection, Lynch has also made the final cut to 10 players in the selection room in recent years. His misses have been narrow.
Nevertheless, the wait remains frustrating, just as it was for Terrell Davis, who was eligible for 10 years before he was inducted last year. Here's why Lynch's time out of the Hall needs to end now:
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His lineage of accomplishments demands inclusion**
There are two defensive players eligible for the Hall of Fame with nine Pro Bowl selections and two or more first-team All-Pro nods who are not in the Hall: Lynch and fellow finalist Brian Dawkins. Their absence is further testament to how safety remains perhaps the most overlooked position in the Hall of Fame discussion.
He's a legend of two teams
Thousands of players have played for multiple teams in their NFL careers. Only a small handful have earned induction into the collection of distinguished players for multiple teams -- whether it goes by "Ring of Fame," as it does in Denver, or "Ring of Honor," as teams such as the Buccaneers use.
In 2016, Lynch was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame and the Bucs' Ring of Honor. Both distinctions were well-deserved. Lynch is one of just two players in Broncos history to play at least four seasons with the team and make a Pro Bowl each time. In Tampa Bay, he earned five Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro nods. The histories of the Bucs and Broncos cannot be written without mentioning No. 47.
As a member of two teams' most prestigious collection of players, Lynch stands alongside Hall of Famers such as Charles Haley, Paul Warfield, Vince Lombardi, Jim Ringo, Sonny Jurgensen, Reggie White, Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk.
The fact that his work in Denver merited selection into the Ring of Fame also shows the sustained excellence of his career. Once he emerged as a full-time starter with the Buccaneers during the 1996 season, he became one of the NFL's most feared and respected players for over a decade.
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Lynch and other safeties need better representation in the Hall of Fame**
Last year, Seattle's Kenny Easley was inducted after being nominated by the Seniors Committee. His addition to the Hall of Fame was long overdue. Before kidney disease cut his career short after just seven seasons, he was the most feared safety in the NFL in the early-to-mid-1980s.
The significance of Easley's inclusion into the Hall of Fame was obvious: He became the first pure safety to play after 1980 to be inducted. The only other safeties to play from 1981 through the present day that are in the Hall — Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson — spent a significant portion of their careers as cornerbacks.
The safety drought seems likely to end in the next few years when Baltimore's Ed Reed and Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu become eligible for induction. But their inclusion would still leave a gaping hole from the late 1980s through the turn of the century, an era in which the two best pure safeties were members of the Broncos Ring of Fame: Lynch and Steve Atwater, a Hall of Fame finalist in 2016.
"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 in 2016. "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."
Safeties are much more than that, of course. Players like Lynch, Atwater and Dawkins are the quarterbacks of the defense -- which for Lynch and Atwater was particularly appropriate, since they were recruited to college as standout high-school quarterbacks before being converted to defense.
He was a core part of an iconic defense
In the 2020s, similar arguments will be made for the elite defenders of the 2015 Broncos that powered the team to its Super Bowl 50 win.
Lynch was one of three signature players who held up the banner for the Buccaneers' defense during its run of dominance from 1997 through 2002, alongside Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. Together, they led a once-woebegone franchise to five postseason trips, two division titles and a world championship in 2002. That title was fueled by its defense in a similar manner to the 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens, 2013 Seahawks and 2015 Broncos.
Such defenses -- along with the Vikings' Purple People Eaters, Steelers' Steel Curtain and Cowboys' Doomsday Defense of the 1970s, are well-represented in Canton, with four members apiece.
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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