Jordan Lynch was the Chicago Sun-Times cover story on June 13, 2014
Former Northern Illinois University quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch has become the toast of the town as he works to make the roster as an undrafted free agent running back for his hometown Chicago Bears.
On Thursday evening, he got some face time throwing out the first pitch at the Chicago White Sox game vs. Detroit, appearing on the team’s WSCR radio and Comcast Sports Net television broadcasts, and the Chicago Sun-Times featured two full-page photos and a cover story about him Friday. On Saturday, he will be featured in the Chicago Bears Network’s “Inside Rookie Minicamp,” airing at 5:30 p.m. on Fox 32 Chicago.
“It feels good. I’m excited to start this new journey in my life playing with the Bears organization,” Lynch says in a program segment. “Always watching them on Sundays, and now I got a chance to actually live that dream and go out there and complete and play for the Chicago Bears.”
He told the Sun-Times that with a stable of running backs fighting for a Bears roster spot, his best chances to make an impression may be in special teams, where coordinator Joe DeCamillis is working him out in a number of drills.
“I’ve never played special teams before. It’s different, but I’m open minded,” Lynch adds. “I’m willing to do anything, and I’m having fun in there. It’s one of the three phases of the game, and it’s very important.”
Lynch has a unique opportunity to make the team in a position other than the one he played in college, and he has the right attitude.
“I trained for the NFL as a quarterback, and I didn’t get picked up at all,” Lynch says. “I got a call from Coach Trestman in the seventh round asking me to play some running back. It was a total 180, but I adjusted. I was happy somebody gave me a shot.”
“One thing I do know, that no matter what happens at the end, I know that the city has my back,” Lynch tells the Sun-Times, saying he will “play his heart out” to be a Chicago Bear.
Like those in DeKalb and now general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman, Lynch continues to make fans as he pursues his childhood dreams.
