TAMPA, Fla. -- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos safety John Lynch has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2017 class, which was announced Tuesday evening on NFL Network.

The field of 94 nominees was narrowed down to 26 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists Tuesday. It is Lynch's fourth-consecutive year as a finalist. He has been a semifinalist five times. The final voting will take place on Feb. 4, the day before Super Bowl LI, in Houston.

Lynch made a living off being one of the most ferocious tacklers in the NFL. He spent 11 seasons in Tampa and four in Denver, and was named to the Pro Bowl nine times, with two first-team All-Pro selections. He is currently tied for ninth all-time in NFL history for Pro Bowl appearances at any position and second all-time among safeties, behind only Ken Houston (10).

He played a key role on the 2002 Buccaneers' defense that defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. He helped the Bucs reach the playoffs five times, including two division titles, and two playoff appearances with the Broncos, including an AFC West title in 2005.

He played in 224 career games with 1,058 combined tackles, 26 interceptions, 13 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and 9 fumble recoveries.

This past year, he was inducted into both the Broncos Ring of Fame and the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.