John Lynch ( American football ) John Terrence Lynch , Jr . ( born September 25 , 1971 ) is a former American football strong safety who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League ( NFL ) and is a current color commentator for NFL on Fox . He played college football at Stanford University , and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft . A nine - time Pro Bowl selection , Lynch earned a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII . He also spent time with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots before retiring as a free agent during the 2008 season . He was ranked No . 10 as the most feared tackler in NFL history , on the NFL Films production " Top 10 Most Feared Tacklers " , for the NFL Network , a list shared with the likes of Dick Butkus , Lawrence Taylor , Jack Tatum , Ronnie Lott , and Jack Lambert . Early years . Lynch was born in Hinsdale , Illinois . He attended Torrey Pines High School in the Carmel Valley / Del Mar area of San Diego , California , where he also played baseball and basketball . College career . Lynch starred in baseball and football at Stanford University . While there he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity . Baseball career . Lynch was drafted as a right handed pitcher by the Florida Marlins the second round ( 66th overall ) of the 1992 amateur draft . He threw the first pitch in the organization ' s history as a member of the Erie Sailors , which was a 95 mph ball . His jersey is in the Baseball Hall of Fame . He played two seasons in the minor leagues with the Sailors and Kane County Cougars , starting nine games and going 1 – 3 with a 2 . 36 earned run average . He roomed with Edgar Renteria according to the Oct 31 broadcast of the Oakland Raiders versus Seattle Seahawks , which Lynch acts as a broadcaster for . Football career . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Lynch was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round ( 82nd pick overall ) of the 1993 NFL Draft . Lynch played his first 11 seasons in the league with the Buccaneers . He earned his title as " Grade A Hardo " during his early tenure with the Bucs under John Gruden . In 2002 , Lynch collected a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in San Diego . He was the first player to wear a microphone in the Super Bowl . Lynch was released by the Buccaneers following the 2003 season for salary cap reasons . Denver Broncos . Lynch signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos prior to the 2004 season , despite being courted by the New England Patriots . In the 2005 season , Lynch nearly made his second Super Bowl , but the Broncos lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game . He served as the Broncos defensive captain in 2006 and 2007 . On July 31 , 2008 , Lynch was granted his release by the Broncos . Lynch said in a news conference that his lack of playing time heading into this season was a reason for his departure . New England Patriots . Lynch visited with the New England Patriots on August 13 , 2008 , then agreed to a 1 - year deal worth $ 1 . 5 million . However , on September 1 , 2008 , Lynch was released from the team . Retirement . On November 17 , 2008 , while in Tampa , Lynch officially announced his retirement from football and six days later he joined " NFL on Fox " in the broadcasting booth as a color commentator . He was paired with Chris Rose . His first game covered was the week 12 , November 23 , 2008 , match - up of the Minnesota Vikings at the Jacksonville Jaguars . He now does commentary alongside Dick Stockton . Personal . Lynch is married to Linda , older sister of his close friend and former NFL tight end John Allred . He and Allred had a run - in during a 1997 NFL game that resulted in Allred almost getting knocked out from a hit .