Golden Nuggets: Lynch's lifelong connection to the Bay Area

Marshawn Lynch shares how Oakland affected his past, his current work in the Bay, and how he wants to help the area in his future. Field Hockey gets more academic recognition and Women's Swimming and Diving wins all of the things in today's video-heavy Golden Nuggets.

By Leland Wong Mar 23, 2014, 3:00am PDT

Beast Mode himself sat down with local news station KTVU to discuss a little more than just that action, boss. Marshawn Lynch discussed how his upbringing in that area prepared him for his future, including his experience at Berkeley giving him a perspective for just how big the world is.

From five-years-old, having some of your homeboys killed at that age, it prepares you for a lot.

Lynch spends his offseason back in the Bay Area, working with his non-profit group, the Fam 1st Family Foundation, where he helps other children from similar underprivileged backgrounds. While the group uses sports to interact with the kids, Lynch aspires to teach them to work for success in all aspects of their lives.

[Sports] is not what you might be doing in the future, but that shouldn't stop you from [chasing] it.

Lynch has had his share of off-field issues, including an arrest for driving under the influence, right before he was to conduct another of his camps. While he has been criticized for these transgressions, he has taken an important next step and used the to grow and mature, calling it the best thing that could have happened in his life.

Lynch is motivated to be successful in a life beyond football—heeding the very advice he gives to the children he works with—and is looking to finish his college degree in social welfare.

Women's Gymnastics

If you've ever wondered what it's like to tumble, but lacked the ability of a collegiate gymnast, Alicia Asturias and a GoPro are here to help

Baseball

Cal (10–10) lost to no. 7 Cal Poly

Softball

A feature on Victoria Jones, whose soccer background helped her become the versatile weapon that can be plugged in anywhere
It's been a busy—but insanely successful—weekend for Cal (16–11), sweeping Grand Canyon in a doubleheader on Thursday, earning a mercy-rule win over Grand Canyon (again) at the Marriott Round Robin on Friday, followed by another mercy-rule win over Princeton in their next game at the Marriott Round Robin

Track and Field

At the California Multis, Andrew Cruikshank recorded a personal record and placed second in the decathlon while Jaci Powell won the heptathlon

Women's Tennis

No. 16 Cal (9–4, 2–0 Pac-12) defeated no. 27 Utah

Women's Basketball

Some great footage of the Bears prepping for March Madness
A last-minute shot by Brittany Boyd pushed the Bears past Fordham in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Men's Basketball

Some highlights from Jorge Gutierrez's latest game as a Net. It just isn't the same without that hair!
Clips of a Bears win + (kind of) M83? Yes please!