Arthur Lynch’s Passion to Serve
By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
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Former UGA tight end Arthur Lynch has proven he will strive to serve.
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This was how I wanted to repay those who already paid a debt to me.
~Arthur Lynch
High school to college to the NFL, leadership has always been an important part of Arthur Lynch’s skill set. Commitment, persistence and responsibility have long followed the Massachusetts-native like a shadow; though now from under the bright lights, that silhouette hasn’t faded. After an All-SEC career as a tight end at Georgia, Lynch was selected in the 5th round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent three years in professional football. Memories made, soon his mission begins.
Lynch, in his two upperclassman seasons at UGA, caught 54 passes for 890 yards and eight touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs to 20 total wins, consecutive victories over rivals Florida, Georgia Tech and Tennessee and, in 2012, a memorable SEC Championship Game showdown with Alabama. That afternoon, in Georgia’s biggest game in years, Lynch, late, stepped directly up on stage. He was featured on the Bulldogs’ famed-but-fateful final drive, his last grab downing at the Crimson Tide 8-yard line. Even in defeat for Georgia, Lynch, quite prominently, made his presence felt.
Not long after Lynch earned All-American recognition as a prep standout, perhaps a more suggestive title than a selective one, he had emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country. He was making his mark in more ways than one. At Dartmouth High School, Lynch was his senior class president and a counselor for freshman students. Lynch also made classroom and community engagement at Georgia a major priority. In addition to receiving various academic honors during his time in Athens, Lynch was a a team captain, a student-athlete representative for his program at SEC Media Days in Birmingham and a local volunteer.
On the field and off, Lynch left a lasting impression at Georgia. He helped the Bulldogs rank as high as in the top three in the national polls and helped quarterback Aaron Murray finish as the SEC’s all-time leading passer. Lynch, saving the best for last, completed his eligibility with 15 receptions for 216 yards and four touchdowns against Auburn, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Nebraska as a senior, the most-productive four-game stretch of his career. A model of consistency, the 6’5” talent ended his tenure with at least one reception in 17 of his last 18 games.
Professional pigskin opportunities saw Lynch suit up for the Dolphins, Jets, Broncos and Falcons. Throughout time in the NFL, and, especially as injuries mounted, thoughts wandered forward for Lynch. His focus remained on duty.
“Two back surgeries in six weeks is not ideal, so at that point I just kind of realized that football was probably not going to happen,” Lynch recalled. “I wasn’t going to sit around and sulk, so I went onto the next thing I was passionate about, serving in the military.”
Back problems not only ended Lynch’s first career, they unfortunately postponed the start of his next one. A wave of injuries, starting with a slipped disk, very much complicated things, both as football came to a close and hopes of future service surfaced. In the face of trying circumstances, persistence powered Lynch’s purpose. For a big, strong former football star, his new game became the waiting game.
The process of joining the armed forces emerged as a complex and lengthy one. Medical issues resulted in Lynch’s application being turned down and, then, his waiver requests getting denied. Early plans had to be changed, Lynch switching his sights from the United States Marines to the U.S. Army. He received two Congressional letters, in addition to various medical reviews. Still hopeful, Lynch worked more traditional jobs in the technology and finance fields in Boston.
From football to frustration, the post-playing transition had been difficult for Lynch. Initially hoping for an NFL team to reach back out, he, in April, got the call of a lifetime, instead.
“I was asked if this was something I still wanted to pursue, that I was going to be be given the opportunity to go see a military doctor to get a waiver,” Lynch shared. “I had my heart set that I wanted to do this.”
It took a lot of work for Lynch to develop into a premier tight end at college football’s highest level. He, after playing as a freshman, actually redshirted in year two before progressing into a star at his position. By Lynch’s banner senior season, he led all SEC tight ends in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. That steadfast approach has proved to be valuable in more ways than one.
Military service has been a goal of Lynch’s for years, an important part of the big picture plan. Like striving for extra yards while swarmed by defenders, he just kept pushing forward. This drive, with Lynch sworn in and preparing for basic training and U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, turns into more of a march.
Before officially starting his career in service, a job that should come with the utmost gratitude, Lynch is already deeply thankful to others.
“I didn’t want to be the guy that said he was going to do something, then didn’t follow through with it. Obviously, sometimes there are circumstances that don’t allow you to do something in life, but I knew that if I was persistent enough and if I just kept my inner-grind that ultimately I would find a way to at least find a doctor or multiple people in the Army or military that would help me along the way. I can never forget about them and what they have done for me,” he nodded. “It’s the military saying, ‘anything worth doing is worth over-doing’.”
It goes without adding that Lynch, note his credentials, excels in a team setting. He also seems to do pretty well in uniform. Those chances are ones he will fight for. Lynch has proven he will strive to serve.
“Ultimately it’s the idea of being part of something bigger than yourself,” Lynched detailed. “I always felt I wanted to be part something bigger, something that meant more. I am of the belief that everyone in some capacity should do something bigger than themselves and try to give back to the community.”
As a new path unfolds for Lynch, it’s worth nothing that his previous stops helped shape his perspective.
“I feel like I’ve been a pretty blessed individual. I was able to play football for, in my opinion, the greatest program and university out there, met so many awesome people, within the program and the community and the school, and let’s be frank, I didn’t have to pay for it,” Lynch acknowledged. “I look at all of the people out there, a number of them are my friends, that when we graduated high school, I was going to play Division I football for free and they were going to Afghanistan. That always hit home to me because they were sacrificing so I could chase my dream.”
Here, the why was even more important than the how.
“This was how I wanted to repay those who already paid a debt to me,” Lynch added.
Though dramatically different in context, there are obvious similarities between football and the military. Some, with certain traits beneficial in both realms, find the change to be a seamless one. While playing, Lynch paid close attention, and was directly encouraged and inspired, whenever veterans came and spoke to his clubs. Lynch, correspondingly, appears poised to make an impact on his new team.
“There is a level of sacrifice that comes with both football and the military because you work as a cohesive unit in order to achieve a goal and, to me, that is something that is very hard to replicate in the real world,” Lynch concluded. “For me to be able to pursue an opportunity to replicate that in a similar way, but also be a leader in that regard as an officer in the United States Army is something that I am super excited about.”
Such a new goal, for Lynch, would be a fitting distinction. Football aside, he has made it a point to advocate, encourage and support others as a well-traveled young adult. The next chapter will include much more of the same.
The spotlight clearly in the rear-view, the Arthur Lynch story is just now getting started. Well-known for his name on the back of his uniform, soon he will represent the patch on the side.