Jim Lynch, a former linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs who was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame after helping the team win its first Super Bowl, passed away at the age of 76.
Jim Lynch, a former linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs who was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame after helping the team win its first Super Bowl, passed away at the age of 76.
There was no information about what caused his death made public by any of the numerous outlets that reported on his passing.
Lynch spent all 11 of his seasons in the National Football League with the Kansas City Chiefs. During his time with the Chiefs, he was a key member of a linebacking unit that included future Pro Football Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier. In the annals of the team’s history, Lynch is still tied for third place among linebackers in terms of interceptions, trailing only Lanier (27) and Bell (17). (26).
The native of Lima, Ohio, was a standout in college at Notre Dame, where he served as a co-captain on the team that won the national title in 1966 and took home the Maxwell Award as the sport’s top all-around performer. In 1992, he was admitted to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Lynch started his career by playing in 148 consecutive games after being selected by the Chiefs in the second round in 1967. He only missed three games over the course of his whole career, all of which occurred in his final season in 1977. In 1968, which was only his second season, he was honored with a spot in the Pro Bowl. He now holds the sixth spot in franchise history with 14 fumble recoveries.
Lynch recorded four tackles in Super Bowl IV, Kansas City’s lone Super Bowl participation, a 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Lynch spent 11 years with the Chiefs. During that time, he played in 151 of the possible 154 games and started 142 of them. In 1990, he was put into the Chiefs Hall of Honor.
