[h1]A trimmed down Aaron Lynch plans to protest inequality[/h1]
Much needed defensive help will be on the way after the 49ers play Sunday against the visiting Cowboys. That’s when pass rusher Aaron Lynch returns from a four-game suspension for not following proper procedure before a drug test.
Lynch amassed 12.5 sacks over his first two seasons before news of his suspension hit during the off-season because of an unreadable urine test. Lynch said the specimen was too diluted. “I’ve already been in the (NFL drug) program so that’s the next step on some of those type of tests.” Lynch said in August. He vigorously fought the suspension to no avail.
When Lynch did report to training camp, he did so at a high weight. Recently, he has trimmed down through the use of a meal plan.
“I still have a ways to go,” he said Tuesday. Lynch also said the country has a ways to go in solving injustice and inequality in communities of color. That’s why Lynch will join the protest of the national anthem instigated by teammate Colin Kaepernick.
“Once I am on the field and I’m able to (protest), yeah,” Lynch said. “I definitely will.”
Born to a black father and white mother, Lynch grew up in a South Florida trailer park with two younger siblings. Raised by his mother, Lynch described his Cape Coral neighborhood as diverse and poor.
Growing up, Lynch befriended Latinos, whites, blacks and is now engaged to a woman of Honduran heritage who he met in his neighborhood. Because of this diversity, Lynch said he never felt out of place as a man of mixed race, however he said his mother was often looked down upon.
“People looked at her as a problem because she had mixed children,” Lynch said.
Lynch also experienced police harassment in college during an incident outside a club. Relaxing in the parking lot with friends, Lynch said a cop approached and slammed one of his friends against a car for no reason.
“I got into the middle of it and I pushed the cop back and I said, ‘you have no right to do that.’ He immediately pepper sprayed us all,” Lynch recalled.
The incident was part of the persistent injustice Lynch witnessed as a child.
“People need to see what’s going on, it’s not cool. I don’t care what anybody says, you can’t be blind to it,” he said. That’s one reason he admires Kaepernick and the protest he started.
“I think somebody needed to do it,” Lynch said. “He has obviously made a big impact, not only in the football community, but all around the world. I feel like what he did was a great thing. I sure stand behind him, and a lot of people in (the locker room) stand behind him and a lot of people outside (the 49ers) stand behind him.”
Lynch and Kaepernick, both men of mixed race, have spoken often of protest and inequality, and Lynch has been frustrated by how Kaepernick’s message continues to be misconstrued.
“He’s not just drawing attention to the black community,” Lynch said. “He’s targeting the colored community: Blacks, Latinos, Hispanics, whoever is colored is who he is targeting. A lot of people say he is doing black power; it has nothing to do with black power. His target is toward colored people and how they are being treated.”
Lynch’s motivation for joining the movement lies in hopefully bringing about a better environment for his unborn son.
“I have a baby on the way, and he’s going to be black, white, Honduran, and Native American Indian,” Lynch said. “I am hoping when he gets older, he won’t be limited by (his diversity). I don’t want him to be that way, I don’t want him to think that way. Don’t downgrade yourself, or lower limits. That’s my message.”
:x
