Mission Statement
The John Lynch Foundation is committed to developing leaders by:
Encouraging dreams.
Providing programs that assist and motivate.
Recognizing achievement and excellence.
Vision Statement
John and Linda Lynch formed the John Lynch Foundation in August 2000 to provide encouragement and positive alternatives for young people. In a time when violence and irresponsibility seem to be glorified, the Lynches are determined to reach students and instill in them the drive to become effective community leaders.
John and Linda strongly believe that good, solid values can be learned through education, sport participation and community involvement. Teamwork, self-esteem, time management, responsibility and determination are the lessons that carry over into all areas of life.
In addition, the Lynches feel that our youth are a valuable resource. John and Linda are committed to endowing this resource with a capacity to create, produce and return. They believe it is the duty of the current leadership to expose the path, open the mind and bring young leaders to new opportunities.
Talent is meaningless without guidance. The Lynches' goal is to encourage success and diminish the fear of failure, because setbacks usually reveal true character. With guidance, a little talent, a lot of work, both hard and smart, young people will learn how to overcome obstacles, rise to the occasion and get the job done! Then, they become invaluable leaders.
The Lynches are laying the foundation for developing these leaders. They are providing education and athletic based incentives for young children, creating recognition and rewards for student-athletes, funding scholarships for high school students, and offering ways to keep coaches and teachers motivated.
As former student-athletes, John and Linda received college scholarships and understand the commitment it takes to realize great dreams. Today, their dream is to provide support for young people who aim high and are committed to realizing their futures.
Timeline of Lynch’s Career
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1993
John was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft.
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1994
John makes ‘the best decision of his life’ and marries Linda Allred. The two will eventually become the parents of Jake, Lindsay, Lillian, and Leah.
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1996
Along with teammate Hardy Nickerson, John and Linda host the first Christmas Party benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. This tradition has continued for 28 years and since the JLF has made Christmas wishes come true for more than 800 Boys & Girls Club youth and military families.
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1997
John is selected to the first of five Pro Bowls as a Buccaneer.
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1998
John and Linda award the first Lynch Family Legacy Scholarships to students in the Tampa area and begin hosting the Salute the Stars awards luncheon.
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2000
In an effort to streamline their philanthropic efforts and make a larger impact, John and Linda form the John Lynch Foundation. The mission is to develop quality young leaders by providing programs that assist and motivate; recognizing achievement; and encouraging dreams.
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2003
John Lynch and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win Super Bowl XXXVII in front of a hometown crowd in San Diego.
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2004
John is released by the Buccaneers and signs with the Denver Broncos. John’s on-field accolades continue as he is selected to four more Pro Bowls.
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2004
Off the field, the JLF introduces its flagship programs – the Star of the Month, Salute the Stars, Lynch’s Christmas Party, and the Lynch Family Legacy Scholarships to the Denver community.
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2009
John joins the NFL on FOX crew and begins an eight-year stretch as an analyst.
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2014
As the Lynches and the JLF continue to develop the Star of the Month and Salute the Stars program, they, along with keynote speaker Peyton Manning, host the 16th annual awards luncheon in front of a record 2,500 guests on the field at Mile High Stadium.
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2016
John is inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor.
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2017
The San Francisco 49ers hire John Lynch as General Manager. He was named as the NFL Executive of the Year in 2018, and they have made two Super Bowl appearances during his tenure.
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2017
John and Linda continue to the Holiday tradition of hosting military families and Boys & Girls Club children at the Lynch’s Christmas Party. After more than 25 years the Lynch’s were excited to introduce this program in the Bay area.
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2021
After being named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for eight-consecutive years, John receives a knock on his door from David Baker, notifying him he will finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Class of 2021 in Canton, OH.
