Sept. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Former New York Giants defensive back and color commentator Dick Lynch died this morning, the National Football League team said. He was 72.

Lynch was being treated for leukemia, the Associated Press reported, citing family members.

Coach Tom Coughlin called Lynch ``a great Giant.''

``We are very saddened by the loss of Dick; just a wonderful human being and a great guy,'' Coughlin said at his daily news conference. ``He was always so positive; always good with the players; always encouraging them. It is very hard to believe that he is gone.''

Lynch played nine seasons with the Giants and Washington Redskins between 1958 and 1966, appearing in four championship games and earning one Pro Bowl selection while playing with teammates including Sam Huff, Andy Robustelli, Dick Nolan and Frank Gifford.

In both 1961 and 1963, he led the NFL with nine interceptions. In 1963 he also led the league with 251 return yards and three touchdowns.

``I had a great career,'' he said during a 2005 ceremony naming him ``Giants Alumni Man of the Year.'' ``I played with the best group of men you could play with. We hung together.''

The Oceanside, New York, native retired from the league in 1966 and was selling bonds until he began working as a color commentator for Giants radio broadcasts, a job that continued through this year.

Lynch's son, Richard, was a bond trader killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center.

Funeral services are planned for this weekend at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the AP said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Kuriloff in New York at akuriloff@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: September 24, 2008 15:35 EDT