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Lions OC Anthony Lynn talks chilling fallout of Michigan school shooting

liz roscher
Staff writer
·3 min read
Anthony Lynn, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator, watches during warmups before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn shared his feelings about the recent shooting at Oxford High School. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The recent shooting at Oxford High School that resulted in the deaths of four students has hit close to home for the Detroit Lions, and not just because of the team's proximity to Oxford, Mich.

Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn told the media on Thursday that he stopped a meeting this morning to allow one of his coaches time to handle a family problem: following the shooting, one of the coach's daughters was afraid to go to school.

Lynn understands what this coach is feeling. He was playing for the Denver Broncos in April of 1999 when the Columbine shooting happened. He said on Thursday that the Broncos gave everyone in the organization a week off to be with their families. Lynn was shaken by the shooting and even considered home schooling his kids at the time.

Lions players, coaches share feelings about shooting

Lions players and coaches discussed the shooting in Oxford on Wednesday, speaking candidly and emotionally about how it's affecting them.

Defensive line coach Tim Wash talked about how it feels to send his son off to school. Via Lions.com:

"I've got a son that has to go to school every day," Wash said, with a tremble in his voice. "So, it's scary. Our thoughts and prayers are with (the community of Oxford). It hits just because we all have children, and when they go to school they should be safe, and that's not the case, so that hits a little bit."

The varsity football coach at Oxford High School, Zach Line, spent seven years in the NFL, and was even coached by head coach Dan Campbell when they were both with the New Orleans Saints. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, who played with Line on the Saints, sent him a text saying he believes he's got the foundation to help the community through this difficult time.

"I was thinking about that. I feel like there's no better person in that position to really help the community get through a situation like this," Anzalone said. "I think that as far as a person, he's a god-fearing person and all the things that you'd want in a leader in a situation like this he has. He's strong and he's faith-filled, so he'll be able to help the community get through this really bad time."