RIP, Dick Lynch

You likely have to be a New York Giants or old-time Notre Dame fan to know who Dick Lynch is, but since I happen to be both, I wanted to note his passing today. Prior to this season I can't recall him not being on the radio call for the Giants and his absence was noticeable. Lynch was also personally affected by the 9/11 attacks, as his son Richard was killed that day.

Dick Lynch, a former Giants defensive back and radio broadcaster for the team whose association with the organization spanned 50 years, has died at age 72, three people with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday morning.

Lynch had been absent from work throughout the preseason and the first three games of the regular season battling a long illness.

The Oceanside native played at Notre Dame and was a Pro Bowler for the Giants in 1963, when he led the NFL with nine interceptions. After spending 1958 with the Redskins, he was a Giant from 1959-66, and became a favorite of co-owner Wellington Mara.

He began as a radio analyst in 1967.

One of Lynch's sons, Richard, died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, an emotional blow after which he never was quite the same, friends said.

Lynch had an unorthodox style in the booth that annoyed many purists but endeared him to many fans, particularly older ones.