Former Vikings GM MIKE LYNN passed away Saturday at the age of 76, and Lynn's son ROBERT LYNN said that his death was "due to a combination of medical issues." In St. Paul, Jeremy Fowler wrote Lynn was "an ambitious executive who made 10 playoff appearances and one of the NFL's most controversial trades during his 16 seasons" with the team. The Vikings won seven NFC Central titles, and played in two Super Bowls while Lynn was GM. Lynn "played a role in PAUL TAGLIABUE's rise to NFL commissioner in the late 1980's and spearheaded the charge to land the 1992 Super Bowl." He also "was a key figure in the building of the Metrodome, which earned Lynn between $14 million and $20 million in suite revenue over the past three decades." The Vikings in a statement said, "The Vikings are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Lynn. He was instrumental in the success of the Vikings for many years" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/22). Lynn's son MIKE LYNN JR. said that his father "had been in frail health for some time and had been admitted to the hospital near his home in Holly Springs, Miss., after a heart-related incident." In Minneapolis, Jim Anderson wrote Lynn's influence on the Vikings "was greater than that of most general managers." He "handled almost all contract negotiations and policy decisions," and was "responsible for amassing rosters full of Pro Bowl players." In '89, Lynn traded seven "prime draft choices and five players" for former NFLer HERSCHEL WALKER, in what "came to be seen as one of the most one-sided and vilified deals in NFL history" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/22).
NFL GODFATHER: Also in Minneapolis, Patrick Reusse wrote, "As an individual, Lynn wrote an amazing underdog story: Going from running movie theaters in Memphis to becoming enough of an NFL powerhouse to be perhaps the most influential person in getting the 1992 Super Bowl played in Minnesota." Reusse: "The Walker trade (Lynn lost), the fight with IRWIN JACOBS and CARL POHLAD for control of the Vikings (Lynn won), the maneuvering for an NFL 'Northern Super Bowl' resolution and then landing it for Minnesota (Lynn won), the WLAF (Lynn lost), getting the Dome built (Lynn won) ... those were the Remarkable Mike headlines remembered by the masses" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/22). In St. Paul, Tom Powers wrote, "Lynn was a king-maker, a mover and a shaker, and a behind-the-scenes puppet master." He was "the closest thing ever to being an NFL godfather." Lynn "truly was one of the most colorful figures ever to grace our humble tundra" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/22). In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes, "There is no doubt that the Metrodome would not have been built had it not been for Lynn's great ability as a salesman." Nobody "thought it would happen," so it was former Vikings Owner MAX WINTER who "agreed to give Lynn 10 percent of luxury suite revenue if the Dome was built." The Lynn family "will continue to get the $500,000-plus per year as long as the Vikings play in the building." Lynn "did a lot of positive things, including bringing the Super Bowl here, but he did a bad thing when he got NFL owners to prevent the selection" of JIM FINKS as commissioner after PETE ROZELLE's retirement in '89, "ultimately engineering the appointment of Paul Tagliabue instead" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/23).
