Marshawn Lynch only at Media Day ‘so I won’t get fined’

Jan 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch sits at his podium during media day for Super Bowl XLIX at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday was Super Bowl Media Day for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in Downtown Phoenix and it has been eventful so far.

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Marshawn Lynch has had some pretty memorable run-ins with the media this season but he saved his best act for last.

On Tuesday, every question asked to Lynch was answered in the same sort-of-sarcastic-but-mostly-serious answer:

“I’m here so I won’t get fined.”

Marshawn, you sir, have won Media Day.

The NFL threatened Lynch with a $500,000 fine if he didn’t show up to Media Day, so he gave an honest answer to the nearly 200 reporters that surrounded his podium.

ESPN.com described the scene with more detail:

"Lynch stayed at his designated podium for 4 minutes, 51 seconds — over an hour less than all his teammates and coaches — and was asked 29 questions. At the 4:51 mark, he said “time,” stood up and walked away from the microphone."

Lynch has been fined several times this season for violating the NFL’s policy on failing to speak to the media.

To counter, he has had several interviews postgame in which he used one word or phrase to answer every question.

One week it was: “Yeah”.

Another was: “Thanks for asking”.

And then it was: “I’m thankful”.

It was last year’s Super Bowl Media Day that Lynch revealed why he is so quiet around the media, saying he is “just ’bout that action, boss.”

And he really doesn’t need to do much speaking — his work on the field speaks volumes.

This season, he ran for 1,306 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns.

Last week in the NFC title game against the Green Bay Packers, he ran for a franchise postseason record 157 yards and led Seattle to an improbable comeback win as the Seahawks advanced to the Super Bowl.

Lynch and his Seahawks teammates will be taking on the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. PT.