John Lynch Inducted into Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

DENVER (CBS4) – The Broncos inducted three players into their Ring of Fame Monday night.

During halftime in the game against the Houston Texans, former kicker Jason Elam, linebacker Simon Fletcher, and safety John Lynch were honored.

Denver Broncos safety John Lynch, linebacker Simon Fletcher and kicker Jason Elam (credit: CBS)

The team unveiled their bronze pillars in the Ring of Fame plaza at Mile High Stadium on Sunday evening.

“I never came into this thing thinking this was even possible. And so to be even mentioned with the guys in the Ring of Fame is a huge honor,” said Elam.

“The same Bronco fans who welcomed and supported me in April of 1985, have done it in everything I’ve attempted to do since I’ve been here, even to this day,” said Fletcher.

“This organization is a very big part of my NFL career and I think it speaks volumes to this organization that it had that big of an impression on me in my short time here,” said Lynch.

JASON ELAM

Elam played his first 15 seasons with the Broncos, and is the team’s all-time leader in field goals (395) and points (1,786).

Behind former Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson, both numbers represent the second-highest totals in NFL history for any player with a single team.

Among Elam’s other accolades, a 63-yard field goal against Jacksonville (10/25/98), that tied the NFL record, an NFL record 16 consecutive seasons with 100-plus points, and a streak of 263 consecutive gameswith a point, which was the second-longest streak in league history at the time he retired.

Elam was a member of the back-to-back 1997 and 1998 Super Bowl teams.

SIMON FLETCHER

Fletcher spent his entire career playing for the Broncos, finishing as the franchise’s all-time sack leader with 97.5 quarterback takedowns.

He set a team record by appearing in 172 consecutive games, never missing one in his career, and is a member of the Broncos’ 50th Anniversary Team.

By the time Fletcher hung up the cleats, he was tied for 13th on the NFL’s all-time sacks list, had accounted for 851 career tackles, a pair of interceptions, and 21 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries.

Fletcher was a starter on three AFC Championship teams (1986, 1987, and 1989), totaling 42 tackles and 6 sacks in 12 postseason games.

JOHN LYNCH

Lynch played four seasons with the Broncos, being named to the Pro Bowl in each of them, a feat done by only five other Broncos players.

In total, between his time with the Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lynch was selected to 9 Pro Bowls, trailing only Hall of Famer Ken Houston (10) among safeties in league history.

In 2005, Lynch was a part of a Denver defense that allowed the fewest points per game (16.1) by the franchise in 14 years, which helped the team to a 13-3 record and the AFC West Division title.

Lynch will also be inducted into the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor later this year.