Marshawn Lynch’s crotch grab celebration now a penalty
By Keith Myers
Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a go ahead touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
While there is still no word on any disciplinary action yet for the New England Patriots for cheating in the AFC Championship game, the NFL did issue one statement this weekend. They’ve decided that Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown celebrations are the real problem.
In a moment of pure brilliance (that word is used it’s most ironic form) the NFL has said that any sort of crotch grab that’s done in celebration by Lynch will result in a 15-yard penalty. All of this is according to ESPN’s Sal Palintonio.
"The Seahawks have been warned that if Lynch makes an obscene gesture at any time during Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks will be penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct… Ff Lynch grabs his crotch after scoring a touchdown, “that means they will kick off from the 20 yard line.”"
Apparently it is unsportsmanlike conduct for Lynch to “rearrange the furniture,” but blatantly cheating isn’t even worth a mention. Good to know the NFL has their priorities straight.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the NFL is also trying to profit off of Lynch’s celebration. They included a picture of Lynch’s crotch grab as a part of a collage that they are selling for $150.
So apparently they don’t want Lynch to make that venture, but they aren’t afraid to make a quick buck off of him if he decides to do it. That’s a pretty bad look for the Roger Goodell and and the NFL.
Lynch has now been fined for his gesture twice in recent weeks. Apparently the NFL has realized that fines weren’t going to be enough of a deterrent get him to stop doing it, so they’ve made it an in-game penalty. Lynch isn’t one to do anything to hurt the team, so I’m guessing the threats will work.
On the other hand, if Seattle wins, expect to see constant “solutes to the members only club” by Lynch throughout the postgame festivities.