Eegee's-loving Davonte Sapp-Lynch leading Tucson Sugar Skulls by example in rebuild

Since joining the Tucson Sugar Skulls, running back Davonte Sapp-Lynch has developed an affection for the Old Pueblo.

Sapp-Lynch has “checked out a couple of (hiking) trails” since he signed with Tucson’s IFL franchise, which hosts the Frisco Fighters at Tucson Arena on Saturday at 6:05 p.m., but his favorite part about Tucson is “Eegee’s,” a popular Tucson-based restaurant chain that has now extended to Phoenix and recently the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles.

“They’re amazing,” Sapp-Lynch said. “I love that place.”

Unlike his older brother, former NFL star running back and Super Bowl champion Marshawn Lynch, who was known during his early NFL career for frequently visiting an Applebee’s in Buffalo for “the ambiance and decor,” Sapp-Lynch simply a fan of the famous frozen fruit drink. His favorite flavors: “That kiwi and that watermelon.”

Sapp-Lynch, a Bay Area native, played collegiately at Contra Costa Junior College before New Mexico Highlands. Sapp-Lynch, the 5-9, 185-pound running back, entered the IFL in 2019 and has played for the Nebraska Danger, Spokane Shock, San Diego Strike Force, Vegas Knight Hawks and now Tucson. In four games this season, Sapp-Lynch has 111 yards and a touchdown as a backup running back to longtime Sugar Skull Mike Jones.

Once fans in the IFL discovered Sapp-Lynch’s relationship with the older Lynch, “a lot of people give me Skittles during the game, but I hold on to them for memorabilia,” he said.

“Personally, Skittles, I don’t like the way they get stuck in my teeth. I’m a Starburst type of guy,” Sapp-Lynch said. “No disrespect to Skittles though.”

Leading up to the Sugar Skulls’ (2-8) bout with Frisco (8-3) in Tucson on Saturday, Sapp-Lynch joined ESPN Tucson’s “Spears and Ali.” Here’s the interview:

With Tucson likely out of playoff contention, what’s your mindset and approach for the rest of the season?

A: “It starts with short-term memory. You gotta let those things that have already happened fall behind you, and look at the things you can pick up to move forward. I can see what coach is doing with rebuilding. I know how rebuilding goes, and I’m just grateful to be a veteran here to help the situation and help the younger players show how things go in this league. ... Best way to do that is to lead by example. Show the guys that no matter what the record is, any down could be your last down, so I just want to make sure the guys understand that you’re not going to be able to do this forever, so why not do this right now?”

How has it been working with longtime Sugar Skulls running back Mike Jones, who has played for Tucson since the inaugural season in 2019?

A: “Being able to work with Mike has been easy, because me and Mike came into the league in the same year, so we’ve always known each other and competed against each other, fighting for touchdown records, so it’s been a blessing to play next to him. We feed off each other and we have different styles, so it’s not hard to play together. Share the wealth, you know?”

Sugar Skulls starting quarterback Mylik Mitchell is injured this week, which leaves Zach Reader as the new starter. How do you make sure the offense doesn’t stall with a new quarterback taking the reins?

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A: “It’s just going to take rallying behind him and believing in him. Once you give the quarterback confidence and he knows the guy around him have faith in him, you play with a certain swagger. It’ll all work out just fine for him once he sees we’re all behind him.”

How would you summarize your five-year IFL career?

A: “I would summarize it as exciting. I’m the type of person that likes to experience new things and new places, so it’s a blessing to land a job in that many places and play in this league for this long. Excited to see what’s next, you never know.”

What do you think about Tucson, and how was it facing the Sugar Skulls in Tucson as an opponent?

A: “I actually love the community here. The support here is amazing. While I was playing away from Tucson, I came here a lot so I built up a small relationship with the fans. I just saw a guy at the bar and he showed me a picture from two or three years ago, when I was playing in (Las) Vegas, and he was like, ‘You showed me so much love during the game, I had to come up and take a picture with you.’ Those type of connections make me feel good about the city of Tucson.”

How was it growing up with (Marshawn) Lynch?

A: “It was normal. We grew up just like any other family. I got bullied by my older siblings and things of that nature. I wouldn’t have played football if it wasn’t for my brother, so I definitely give him his flowers any chance I get to.”

What’s your favorite football memory of your brother?

A: “Personally, it was this championship game in high school, and they were down by 17 points in the third quarter and he only had two touchdowns at that time, then he just hit a switch and I could tell, because he went off and scored four more touchdowns and won the game. That’s my favorite highlight of his career.”

Is that the game he famously said he wanted to treat his offensive linemen to a meal at ‘Sizzler?’

A: “That’s exactly that game.”