One of them on the list is a bright, young, 31-year old named Richard Lynch Jr., son of Dick Lynch the radio announcer for the New York Football Giants. Richard…
By Alex Berger
More than 6,000 people remain missing in the aftermath of the World Trade Center disaster.
One of them on the list is a bright, young, 31-year old named Richard Lynch Jr., son of Dick Lynch the radio announcer for the New York Football Giants. Richard was married and had a 15- month old daughter, Olivia. His father, Dick Sr., was one of my football heroes during his playing days with the Giants.
The time -— early 1960s. The place — Yankee Stadium at the end of a winning Giants football game. A young fan jumps over the railing onto the playing held to reach one of the stars of the game. He catches up with him before the player can run into the locker room (fans were allowed to spill onto the field at the conclusion of the games back then). The young fan pats him on the back. The player thanks the fan and disappears into the confines of the stadium.
The time — January 1993. The place — a sofa in the lobby of a hotel in San Francisco. The same, but now older, Giant fan is sitting there in a state of depression. He had just returned from a football game in which he witnessed his beloved Giants lose to the San Francisco 49ers. The loss eliminated the team from the playoffs. He feels a pat on the back and hears very comforting words: “Don’t take it so hard. The Giants had a great season,” said the voice. The fan turns around and was surprised to see that the bearer of the consolation was his same football hero, who then disappears into the elevator.
The time — Autumn 1995. The place — outside Giants Stadium before a Giants football game. The still older fan sees the same former player walking in the crowd. The fan stares at his hero. He is surprised when the former player approaches him, stops, and informs him that he reads the fan’s column every week in the Little Neck Ledger. Both pat each other on the back and disappear into the stadium together.
The time — Many Football Sundays later. The place — Giants Stadium. The former player greets the fan whenever he sees him at the Giants football games. The player was Dick Lynch. The fan, of course, was me.
The time — Sept. 11, 2001 . The place — The World Trade Center. Dick’s son Richard Jr., working in the building, is missing.
The time — Sept. 23, 2001. The place — Radio booth at the start of the Giants-Chiefs game in Kansas City. Dick is in his regular seat announcing his first game since the tragedy. Despite holding back tears, Dick carries on and broadcasts the entire game.
The time — Sept. 27, 2001. The place — St. Mary's Church in Manhasset. In addition to family, relatives, and members of the Giants organization, hundreds of fans are in attendance at the Memorial Service.
Dick, who was born in Mineola, L.I., was the third of eight children (six boys and two girls). His athletic-minded father steered all of his sons into sports. Dick excelled in football, and in 1954, his high school coach’s recommendation prompted Notre Dame to offer young Dick an athletic scholarship.
This pleased his father, who could not afford the high tuition at a school like Notre Dame.. Dick had a spectacular college football career. He won three football letters at Notre Dame and was the Irish’s ground-gaining leader and top defensive back. He is best remembered as the player who ran around right end with 3:50 minutes left in the game, to score a touchdown in a memorable 7-0 win over Oklahoma in 1957. That win snapped the Sooners' 47-game winning streak. His team also had upset a heavily favored Army team 23-21.
Dick won All-Midwest honors and was selected to play in the 1958 college All-Star game and the North-South classic.
Graduating in 1958, Dick's goal was not directed at football — he just wanted a regular job. But Dick was drafted No. 8 by the Washington Redskins.
As an ROTC student at Notre Dame, however, he owed the Army two years of military service. He ultimately served only six months active duty as a second lieutenant. After his discharge, Dick got a job selling encyclopedias. The following season, the Giants acquired him from the Redskins in a trade. He agreed to give football six months. The goal of six months eventually lasted nine years (1958-1967).
The rest is football history: Dick played spectacularly. He was League interception champion in 1951 with nine steals, and repeated again as Interception Champion in 1963.
Dick says that his life today does not revolve around his playing football days. “I did enjoy playing football – four years of high school, four years at Notre Dame, and nine years of professional football for the New York Giants. All well and good. Today, I am living a normal life. Nothing can compare with it. I now (can) spend more time with my family and friends. This is Utopia for me.” Dick the family man often speaks about his love for his wife Roz, whom he first met in 1958. She was Miss Pennsylvania of 1957, and an airline flight attendant They married after a 10-month courtship. They were forced to move quite frequently because of the expanding family (four daughters and two sons), and finally settled in Douglaston. Roz made Dick take a full-time job selling printing material while he was playing for the Giants.
Practical Roz explained that this was protection in the event Dick got hurt and couldn’t play anymore. Would players of today ever think of doing the same? “Douglaston is a great area to live.” Dick said. “Our neighbors are part of my family. I am, and always will be, a Queens guy because the best people live here.”
Here is a man content to live the rest of his life surrounded by the people he loves — his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his friends. He is at peace with himself and harbors no feelings of hate when speaking about what happened to Richard.
Dick, you are a true inspiration to me and I am happy that you patted me on my shoulder those many years ago. Now it is my turn to pat you and Roz on the shoulder. As an old Jewish prayer says, “May you know no more sorrow.”
Contributions to the trust fund for Richard Jr.’s 15-month-old daughter, Olivia, may be sent to the Richard and Olivia Trust Fund, c/o Jennifer Lynch, 315 Beverly Road, Douglaston, N.Y. 11363.
Reach columnist Alex Berger by e-mail at timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 139.
