Together, they helped turn a franchise around.
Now, John Lynch and Tony Dungy seek to cement their legacies by joining the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowler, seeks to become the third member of the 2002 Super Bowl champions of the Tampa Bay Bucs to reach the Hall. Dungy, the coach who turned the Bucs’ losing tradition into the finest era in franchise history, represents the Bucs and Colts as his legend is considered.
It will be a difficult achievement for both men. Coaches don’t often reach the Hall, particularly those with only one Super Bowl victory (with the Colts). Safeties have a hard time, too.
Then there is the competition. Brett Favre and Marvin Harrison are favorites to get into the Hall. Terrell Owens and Kurt Warner have been discussed heavily. Kenny Stabler and Dick Stanfel are senior candidates, and Eddie DeBartolo is being voted on as contributor.
Others on the ballot include Morten Anderson, Steve Atwater, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Allen Faneca, Kevin Greene, Joe Jacoby, Edgerinn James, and Orlando Pace.
Also representing the Bucs in the Hall of Fame are Lee Roy Selmon, Warren Sapp, and Derrick Brooks. Both Sapp and Brooks played with Lynch under Dungy.
