Jim Lynch


James Robert Lynch is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire 11-year professional career with Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League and National Football League.

Early years

Lynch attended Lima Central Catholic High School in Lima, Ohio, he is a member of their Hall of Fame. After high school he attended University of Notre Dame. He led Notre Dame in tackles in 1965 with 108 and in 1966 with 106. He was the defensive captain of the 1966 National Champion Fighting Irish team. Lynch also won the Maxwell Award as the nation's best college football player in 1966.

Chief career

From 1967 to 1977, Lynch was a right outside linebacker, playing alongside middle linebacker Willie Lanier and left outside linebacker Bobby Bell, both Pro Football Hall of Famers. These linebackers were important elements to lead the Chiefs' defense in their 1969 championship season, en route to winning their first AFL-NFL World Championship.
Lynch finished his career with 17 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries. He scored 1 touchdown and was selected to play in the 1968 AFL All-Star Game. In 1990, Lynch was inducted into the Chiefs' Hall of Fame.

After football

In 2006, Lynch was interviewed for the NFL Network documentary chronicling the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs AFL and World Championship season. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.