Marshawn Lynch Main Focus of Media at Super Bowl XLIX

Going into Super Bowl XLIX media day, the focus was on Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch and what was he going to say, or rather not say. At last year’s Super Bowl, you could tell Lynch was visibly upset and didn’t want to talk to the media. So his good buddy, former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson, took some of the spotlight off of him and answered a majority of the questions directed at him.

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At this year’s media day, Lynch went to his assigned podium and before he took questions issued a brief statement:

"“When does my time start? Oh, it’s started. Well, let me say, I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”"

He told reporters he would answer every question with the same answer and that is exactly what he did for four minutes and 51 seconds. After the timer on his phone went off, he got up and walked away.

ESPN’s Ed Werder, citing NFL sources, reported that Lynch was warned he would be fined $500,000 if he didn’t show for Media Day. If Lynch was to be fined, it wouldn’t have been the first time this year. Lynch was fined $50,000 in November for violating the league’s media policy and at that time he was informed by the league that an additional $50,000 fine imposed last season would be collected.

It makes sense why he came out and made himself available to the media. He doesn’t want to lose $500,000. It’s a little ridiculous that they would fine a player $500k for not speaking to the media. There are far worse things going on in the NFL than not talking to the media or making yourself available.

On Wednesday Lynch made himself available again and offered yet again a one sentence answer to all the questions directed at him.

"“You know why I’m here.” before concluding the session with “Thank you, I appreciate it.”"

Prior to his session with the Media on Thursday, Lynch offered a nice long statement:

"“Hey look, I mean, all week I told y’all what’s up,” Lynch said. “And for some reason y’all continue to come back and do the same thing that y’all did. I don’t know what story y’all trying to get out of me. I don’t know what image y’all trying to portray of me. But it don’t matter what y’all think, what y’all say about me.“When I go home at night, the same people that I look in the face — my family that I love. That’s all that really matter to me. So y’all can go make up whatever y’all want to make up because I don’t say enough for y’all to go and put anything out on me.“I’ll come to y’all event. Y’all shove cameras and microphones down my throat. But when I’m at home in my environment, I don’t see y’all, but y’all mad at me. And if you ain’t mad at me, then what y’all here for? I ain’t got nothing for y’all, though. I told y’all that. Y’all should know that. But y’all will sit here like right now and continue to do the same thing.“I’m here preparing for a game,” Lynch continued. “And y’all want to ask me these questions, which is understandable. I could get down with that. But I told y’all. I’m not about to say nothing. So for the reminder of my, what’s that, 3 minutes? Because I’m here I’m available for y’all. I’m here, I’m available for y’all. I talked. All of my requirements are fulfilled. For the next 3 minutes, I’ll just be looking at y’all the way that y’all looking at me. Thank you.”"

Personally it does not bother me that he shies away from the media. As I mentioned above, there are far worse things that he or other players could be doing. There are plenty of other players on the team that would be more than glad to speak with the media. In reality, this is doing nothing more than enhancing Lynch and his “Beast Mode” image.

Go ahead national media; keep complaining that Lynch won’t talk to you. All you’re doing him is a favor.

quotes courtesy of espn.com

Next: Highlights from Super Bowl XLIX Media Day

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