Rozner: Jordan Lynch finishes first pro season in style

Jordan Lynch just wanted to play football again.

It's really that simple.

After Phil Emery and Marc Trestman cost him a year of his career with their publicity stunt and failed promises a year ago, Lynch was willing to go anywhere and do anything to play football again.

So he headed for the border.

Lynch traveled more than 1,600 miles from Chicago to Edmonton to get a chance to play professional football.

And then it was another thousand miles to Winnipeg for the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup championship game.

But after scoring the game-winning touchdown to clinch the title on a quarterback sneak Sunday night, Lynch could have flown home minus a ship.

The former Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois was soaring after finishing his first professional season in Canada in just about the finest way imaginable.

"It's the best feeling in the world," Lynch said Tuesday morning before heading to the championship parade. "All the time and effort that goes into the season and it finally pays off. There's no better feeling."

Lynch played some quarterback and special teams for the Eskimos this season, but his main job was as the short-yardage specialist, sometimes as a running back but usually out of the wildcat, and he led the team in rushing touchdowns.

So when the previous play set up Edmonton with a second-and-goal from the 1-yard line Sunday night, Lynch was standing right next to the coach and prepared for the moment.

"It was 50-50 whether I would be going in on that one," Lynch said. "We work on short-yardage plays throughout the week, so when our receiver was called short of the goal line, they called for my personnel group."

But pressure is nothing new for Lynch. He had played in an Orange Bowl, Senior Bowl, MAC Championship and weathered so many storms, overcome so many obstacles to reach the Heisman ceremony, that he knew what to do.

"You focus on the job that needs to be done and all your preparation kicks in," Lynch said of scoring the title-winning touchdown. "It was awesome. Any time you have a chance to help your team and score a touchdown at the same time, it's pretty special."

And after missing the 2014 football season following the disastrous Bears experiment, Lynch is just happy to be working at his craft again.

"One thing that never changes is you want to be part of a team atmosphere," Lynch said. "It always feels good to be wanted and I'm so thankful to the Edmonton organization for giving me the chance to play football again.

"I've learned that at times football is a business, so you have to bring your A-game every day because there is always someone trying to replace you, but I'm getting better as a football player.

"I think you get better every year when you're working on your craft for six months, and that's something I really needed and wanted this year."

Lynch had every right to be bitter after Emery and Trestman changed his position, sold him on a plan and then never gave him a chance to prove himself. By the time they cut him it was too late to reclaim his 2014 football season.

But rather than harbor any animosity, Lynch channeled it into harder workouts and improving his game.

"You know, I'm just glad to be playing football again," Lynch said. "It might not be the ideal situation, but I know I can play and if I take my time and remain patient, I know the best is yet to come."

As for next year, Lynch said, "I'm taking it one step at a time. I'm happy up here. I have great coaches and a great team and we're the Grey Cup champions. That's a pretty good start."

After Tuesday's parade, Lynch had just one more thing in mind before heading back to Chicago and being home for Christmas.

"I will be in Detroit on Friday night, rooting on the Huskies in the MAC Championship," Lynch said. "No way would I miss that."

Just one more thing about Lynch that will never change.

brozner@dailyherald.com

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