Golden Nuggets: Marshawn Lynch and Alex Mack's humanitarian work with American Football Without Borders

Calumni and Bears in the Pros Alex Mack and Marshawn Lynch are spending their off-season with American Football Without Borders in order to teach underprivileged communities about American football and (maaaaybe more importantly) do some charitable work in Brazil.

Up first is Pro Bowl running back and Super Bowl Champion Marshawn Lynch. A gentleman of few words, he doesn't have a blog on his experience up. However, his teammate Golden Tate described Lynch's time suiting up for Brazil to play with the kids.

I love Marshawn's perspective on life and his skill with getting the kids fired up. He really loves to experience life and it has been shown by his interaction with the children at camp. By the end he had them all in "Beast Mode".

Even former Trojan (and Cameron Jordan imposter!) Jordan Cameron admired Lynch's intensity and popularity in Brazil. We all know Lynch is all about that action, boss, so we'll let his actions speak for him.

Pro Bowler Alex Mack had an amazing steak dinner and some great experiences helping to outfit needy children with shoes.

Kids were brought in and we were tasked with washing their feet, giving them socks and finding some shoes that fit. It was humbling to serve these children and rewarding to see the smiles on their face. Language was a barrier and some kids were shy but everyone was happy and energetic about the whole experience.

While Mack may have a career at the Foot Locker in his future, it sounds like being a professional soccer player just isn't for him.

Kudos to all our Bears (and the other NFL players) for giving their time to the benefit of others.

Rugby

• Assistant Coach Mike MacDonald, who holds the record for most international games as a member of the US National Team, is retiring as a player

Men's Swimming and Diving

• Getting ready to duel with the Stanfurd Cardinal
  

Softball

• The no. 23 Golden Bears (5–4) lost to St. Mary's at the Campbell/Cartier Classic, the Gaels' first win over Cal in program history

Women's Water Polo

• Roser Tarrago is the MPSF Newcomer of the Week

Women's Basketball

• Afure Jemerigbe posted a career-high of 23 points in no. 22 Cal's (18–7, 10–4 Pac-12) victory over no. 15 ASU
• The Bears are now in sole possession of second place in the conference (and quotes from the players after the game)
• Her gutsy play--despite an injured ankle--against ASU cemented Brittany Boyd's reputation as one of the most clutch players in NCAA WBB

Men's Basketball

• Press conference footage from Coach Mike Montgomery, Justin Cobbs, and Tyrone Wallace
  
  
• Cal is trending up and now a 9-seed in Joe Lunardi's Bracketology, kicking things off against 8-seed Virginia Commonwealth
• Cobbs is a finalist for the Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award
• Earl Schultz, who was on our '59 NCAA Championship Team and '60 Final Four team, will receive the Pete Newell Career Achievement Award

Men's Tennis

• No. 11 Cal (6–2) lost to no. 13 Texas in the consolation bracket of the ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championships

Women's Golf

• The Golden Bears finish in fourth place at the Peg Barnard Invitational

Women's Gymnastics

• Jessica Howe won her third Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Award, which ties UCLA for most times winning that award this year

Football

• Uncle Ted takes a look at the Pac-12 North out-of-conference schedules; is Cal justified for a slightly weak line-up?
• Cal's 2013 attendance dropped by over 11% compared to 2012, which is third-worst in the conference
• TE Tony Gonzalez has had enough of retirement. He'll be joining CBS's "The NFL Today Show" and single-handedly replacing two men BECAUSE HE'S TONY FLIPPIN' G.
• DL Cameron Jordan is determined to carry on the leadership of recently-departed Saints defenders

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