Sep 24, 2008 - 4:14 PM
0 shoutsEAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Dick Lynch, who spent the past 50 years as a Pro Bowl defensive back and radio analyst with the New York Giants, died Wednesday morning. He was 72.
A Giants spokesperson confirmed Lynch's death, stating that the team had informed by one of his family members. The Giants did not provide any further details, saying only that Lynch passed away "after a long illness."
"Dick was such an important part of our organization for so many years that we really considered him part of the family," Giants president John Mara said. "He was a true Giant as a player, a broadcaster and as a man. We will miss him dearly."
Lynch had been battling leukemia and did not attend broadcasts of the Giants' first three games this season.
"We are very saddened by the loss of Dick; just a wonderful human being and a great guy," Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. "He was always so positive, always good with the players, always encouraging them. It is very hard to believe that he is gone."
An Oceanside, New York native and an alumnus of Notre Dame, Lynch joined the Giants in 1959 after spending the previous season as a rookie with the Washington Redskins. He enjoyed his best season with the Giants in 1963, when he had an NFL-leading nine interceptions and earned his only career Pro Bowl appearance.
A favorite of team co-owner Wellington Mara, Lynch began his career as the Giants' radio analyst in 1967. He became a popular fixture in the broadcast booth while working with numerous play-by-play announcers, including Marty Glickman and Marv Albert.
"He really knew his football," current Giants play-by-play announcer Bob Papa said. "He knew things and he saw things - I learned a lot from him. He had his own style."
As a player, Lynch perhaps was best known for his 3-yard touchdown run in Notre Dame's 7-0 victory over Oklahoma in 1957. The upset ended the Sooners' 47-game winning streak.
