Former Buccaneers strong safety John Lynch has piled up the honors and accolades since retiring from the NFL in 2004. Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowler, was drafted by Tampa Bay in 1993 and spent 11 years with the organization until joining Denver from 2003-07. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2002, was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Honor in 2015 and then inducted into Bucs Ring of Honor in 2016.

While waiting to see if he makes the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as he’s been a semi-finalist for the seventh straight year, Lynch was inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Bay Hall of Fame on Saturday at a luncheon ceremony at The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.

#Bucs legend @JohnLynch49ers at the Sports Club of Tampa Bay HOF induction: “Fortunately Sam Wyche listened to a guy named Bill Walsh and they brought me here.” pic.twitter.com/4MuqG2DWI1

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) November 24, 2018

Lynch, who became the general manager of San Francisco last year, is in town to see his current team battle his former team at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday as the 3-7 Buccaneers host the 2-8 49ers. He received the Sports Club Hall of Fame plaque from Mark Donohue with former Bucs teammates Ronde Barber and Ryan Nece in attendance.

“As Mark gave me this award he said, ‘Buccaneer for life’ – and that’s true,” Lynch said. “It may not be true tomorrow, but it is true. I grew up as a young man, I grew up as a player, I grew up in my marriage – two of our kids were born here.”

#Bucs legend @JohnLynch49ers recalled that the journey was just as sweet as finally winning a Super Bowl in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/tunJ7RXkxZ

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) November 24, 2018

#Bucs legend @JohnLynch49ers saying he’s a “Buccaneer for life” and reveals how his son will be rooting for Tampa Bay tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HHvt4zbB9K

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) November 24, 2018

Barber, who is calling the Bucs vs. 49ers game for Fox and was Lynch’s teammate from 1997-2003 and helped win Super Bowl XXXVII, was inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Bay Hall of Fame several years ago and was excited to see Lynch receive the honor.

“This is great for John,” Barber said. “It’s been a long time coming. I know it’s hard with his schedule, but this is a very cool organization. I know Mark has been after me to come to one of these events and you know how scheduling is, but this one I couldn’t miss. There are a bunch of these kinds of organizations around town, but this one has a special meaning because of the people that came before us. It’s an honor to be involved in it, and a great honor for John.”

#Bucs legend @JohnLynch49ers sharing a great Floyd Peters story, and saying, “There is a rich, sports history in Tampa that is pretty unique.” pic.twitter.com/1gMMILxpsw

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) November 24, 2018

#Bucs legend @JohnLynch49ers says he’s “incredibly humbled” to be inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Bay Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/FgbZ2yIpAi

— PewterReport (@PewterReport) November 24, 2018

Lynch talked about his journey to helping build a winner in Tampa Bay, saying, “Fortunately, Sam Wyche listened to a guy named Bill Walsh and they brought me here.”