I’ve looked into Marshawn's eyes and listened to him speak as he laid
on the grass at a water park somewhere in the Bay Area on a hot summer
day. We had just finished up a grueling summer camp as the 2004 season
was nearly ready to kick off. Marshawn Lynch had yet to take a single
snap as a collegiate athlete, but his reputation as a guy to keep an eye
on had long since been established.
During this time I was entering my senior season and had earned my stripes among the team to some degree at that point. A small group of us were eating lunch on the grass when Lynch slid his way over to us in a vivacious yet innocent manner. This was my first real opportunity to interact with him in any significant way.
I’ll always remember how difficult it was to pinpoint just who this guy was. His unique personality was unmistakable whenever his social walls come down. It’s at this time when compassion and a gentle heart flood to the surface.
Lynch spent that time on the grass singing our praises and sharing his thoughts on his new team. He genuinely appeared honored to be a part of such an exceptional group of guys. He was oddly able to wear equal doses of bashful and confidence in a way I’ve yet seen duplicated. He showed an incredible amount of respect to the older guys, yet somehow, you could sense that he was destined for something bigger.
Most people who seek out others to talk with generally have an identifiable agenda of some type. Lynch’s character has always been a challenge to peg down in that regard because any predictable motive for his interaction is likely one that cannot be anticipated or, often times, fully deciphered.
During this time I was entering my senior season and had earned my stripes among the team to some degree at that point. A small group of us were eating lunch on the grass when Lynch slid his way over to us in a vivacious yet innocent manner. This was my first real opportunity to interact with him in any significant way.
I’ll always remember how difficult it was to pinpoint just who this guy was. His unique personality was unmistakable whenever his social walls come down. It’s at this time when compassion and a gentle heart flood to the surface.
Lynch spent that time on the grass singing our praises and sharing his thoughts on his new team. He genuinely appeared honored to be a part of such an exceptional group of guys. He was oddly able to wear equal doses of bashful and confidence in a way I’ve yet seen duplicated. He showed an incredible amount of respect to the older guys, yet somehow, you could sense that he was destined for something bigger.
Most people who seek out others to talk with generally have an identifiable agenda of some type. Lynch’s character has always been a challenge to peg down in that regard because any predictable motive for his interaction is likely one that cannot be anticipated or, often times, fully deciphered.
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