Manning, Lynch add to list of similarities
The golfing trip for John Lynch, Peyton and Eli Manning, and a mutual friend was set for last weekend, several days ahead of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 unveiling.
Before departing, Peyton called Lynch.
“Anything new with you these last couple days?” he asked.
“Maybe. Anything new you?” Lynch replied.
There was something new … and something to celebrate.
Hall of Fame president David Baker flew to Denver on Jan. 22 to tell Manning he would be inducted this August. Two days later, Baker was in San Diego to inform Lynch of the same honor.
“We kind of both acknowledged that we both received (word of their selection),” Manning said Sunday morning during a video conference. “It was a really fun golf trip. Nobody else could tell why we were drinking some champagne and having a toast since we couldn’t tell anybody.”
Cornerback Charles Woodson, receiver Calvin Johnson and guard Alan Faneca joined Manning and Lynch as modern-era selections. Drew Pearson (senior), Tom Flores (coach) and Bill Nunn (contributor) were also elected.
The Class of 2020, including with
Broncos safety Steve Atwater, will be inducted on Aug. 7; the Class of 2021 will be enshrined the next night.
This year’s inductees were flown to Tampa early in the weekend. They spent Sunday morning getting measured for their bronze busts and signing dozens of pieces of Hall of Fame memorabilia.
That Lynch (in his eighth year of eligibility) and Manning (in his first) are a part of the same class is appropriate considering the commonalities in their careers.
Both played more than a decade for the initial team — 14 years for Manning in Indianapolis, 11 for Lynch in Tampa Bay.
Both won one Super Bowl championship with their first teams — Lynch over the Raiders in 2002 and Manning over Chicago in 2006.
Both played for Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy — Lynch for six years (Tampa Bay) and Manning for seven (Indianapolis).
Both were released by their initial clubs because of neck injuries — Lynch had surgery after the 2003 season and Manning missed all of ‘11 due to three operations.
Both played four years for the Broncos — Lynch 2004-07 and Manning 2012-15.
And both will be on the same stage on the same night in Canton.
“I’m so proud to go in — there are Hall of Famers and then there are guys like Peyton (who) are some of the greatest players to ever play so it’s an honor to go in with him for sure,” Lynch said.
Said Manning: “The fact John and I still have a professional friendship and the fact he and I received this news (in) the same year — I’m very honored by that and to be with him along with all of the other inductees.”
Lynch signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Broncos in March 2004 (age-33 season). He missed only four games in four years and totaled 271 tackles and three interceptions. Lynch was selected to the Pro Bowl each year.
Lynch and his family lived in the Denver area for several years after his retirement. He is currently the San Francisco 49ers’ general manager.
“I dreamed of finishing my career in Tampa, but injures made it such that we kind of agreed to move on and I’ll never forget (then-coach) Mike Shanahan saying, ‘I think this is the perfect place for you,’” Lynch said. “Such a first-class organization. Mr. (Pat) Bowlen was such a tremendous man and he was all about winning and he was all about facilitating anything it took to win.”
Manning signed a four-year, $96 million contract with the Broncos in March 2012 (his age-36 season). He was 45-12 in the regular season (140 touchdowns and 53 interceptions) and capped his career with a Super Bowl 50 win. He was named to three Pro Bowls.
“As I’ve said many times, it’s not what I wanted because I always wanted to play for the team that drafted me,” Manning said. “I think every player should shoot for that goal, but not many get to do it. … Things happen and injuries come into play and you have to find somewhere else to play. Denver was the best place for me. I’m really proud of my time with the Denver Broncos.”
Lynch and Manning run the Broncos’ Hall of Fame total to 10 players who spent all or a significant portion of their career with the franchise.
The 2019 ceremony had a Broncos feel with Bowlen (posthumously) and cornerback Champ Bailey being enshrined and this year’s Hall of Fame Weekend will feature Atwater, Lynch and Manning.