Attention has been drawn to Seattle Seahawks running back, Marshawn Lynch in the weeks leading up to and following the Super Bowl, for reasons other than his play on the field. Much of the attention surrounding Lynch has to do with his reluctance to pertinently answer questions from members of the media. Lynch when asked questions from members of the media often gave curt one word or one phrase answers. Most notably at media day leading up to the Super Bowl, Lynch responded to every question posed with, “I’m here so I won’t get fined,” or some similar variation.
With the increased attention, the fines from the NFL have also increased for Lynch. Lynch was fined on two separate occasions for obscene gestures, one fine $11,050 coming from the game against the Arizona Cardinals on December 29th, and the other fine $20,000 incurred while playing the Green Bay Packers on January 18th. Lynch was also fined a total of $100,000 for not speaking to the media after a loss to Kansas City on November 16th. The NFL threatened to significantly increase the fine of $50,000 if Marshawn Lynch did not participate in media week. The NFL also threatened to ban him from the NFC championship game if he wore gold cleats, a uniform violation which normally would have drawn a fine.
Roger Goodell commissioner of the NFL’s response to Lynch’s reluctance to speak to the media was, “You have an obligation to fans. It is part of your job. There are things in our job that we don’t necessarily want to do.” Others believe Lynch has an anxiety disorder with fans going as far as to petition the NFL to stop “bullying” Lynch. When asked what would indicate Lynch has any type of anxiety disorder an individual responded “wearing sunglasses to the interview and not being able to look up.”
No matter what stance is taken in response to Lynch’s friction with the NFL what is apparent is the conversation about the season he had is quite muted. Rushing for 1624 yards and gathering 15 touchdowns and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances usually gain a tremendous amount of praise, but not as much this year. Retirement could be an option for Lynch whose contract ended after the Seahawks loss in the Super Bowl. Whether Lynch signs or not, it doesn’t take away he’s had a productive last few years despite the public relations issues.
Works Cited
Bromlie, Wendi. “Enough is enough! Stop bullying Beast Mode!” Go Petition. n.p, 11 Jan. 2015. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. <http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/enough-is-enough-stop-bullying-beast- mode.html>
DailyNewsTV. “Marshawn Lynch SuperBowl Media Day 2015 FULL Interview – Im just here so I wont get fined.” Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ducGZlQSGoY>
Hanzus, Dan. “Marshawn Lynch fined $100K for avoiding media” NFL. n.p, 19 Nov. 2014. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. < http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000430995/article/marshawn-lynch-fined-100k-for-avoiding-media>
Jones, Ross. “Goodell talks Deflategate, Marshawn Lynch and state of the NFL.” Fox Sports. N.p, 30 Jan. 2015. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. < http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Roger-Goodell-NFL-Super-Bowl-Deflategate-Marshawn-Lynch-013015>
Katzowitz, Josh. “Marshawn Lynch fined for obscene gesture at end of TD run.” CBS Sports. n.p, 26 Dec. 2014. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. < http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24917413/marshawn-lynch-fined-for-obscene-gesture-at-end-of-td-run>
Orr, Conor. “Marshawn Lynch wears gold cleats during warmups” NFL. n.p, 1 Feb. 2015. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. < http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000467067/article/marshawn-lynch-wears-gold-cleats-during-warmups>
Pelissero, Tom. “Marshawn Lynch will not be fined by NFL”USA Today Sports. n.p, 4 Feb. 2015. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2015/02/04/marshawn-lynch-will-not-be-fined-by-the-nfl-for-his-beast-mode-hat-or-media-obligations/22865807/>
Sessler, Marc. “Marshawn Lynch won’t be fined for ‘Beast Mode’ hat” NFL. n.p, 4 Feb. 2015. Web. 9 Feb. 2015. < http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000468199/article/marshawn-lynch-wont-be-fined-for-beast-mode-hat>
“The Big Board” Fox Sports. N.d. Web. n.p 9 Feb. 2015. <http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/marshawn-lynch-player>
This is very good. What I love most is that you took the time to go gather sources. You’ve made your own coverage without having to necessary get a comment from Lynch.
There are also lovely ways that you make a point without expressing your opinion out and out. The way you deliver the sunglasses line as the fans proof of anxiety order really seems to cast doubt on the fan’s authority, but you don’t say so. Also you don’t say that Lynch has an obligation to the public, but you provide a quote of an official who does.
Very good.