After avoiding interviews the past two seasons, Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch has succumbed to holding a pair of press conferences. One was real and done to save money. The other was fake and done to make money. Both were entertaining.
The video is Lynch’s “interview” Tuesday at Super Bowl media day at Phoenix’s basketball arena downtown, where he took questions for exactly four minutes, 51 seconds to avoid what reports said was a fine of up to $500,000 by the NFL for repeatedly failing to meet his league-mandated media obligations. Lynch accrued $100,000 in fines for not speaking to the media during the the previous two seasons.
#NFL source says Marshawn Lynch treated with $500K fine if he failed to be available for Media Day. “I’m just here so I don’t get fined.”
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) January 27, 2015
Wearing white stunner shades and a grey and lime-green flat-bill hat, Lynch responded to 29 questions with some variation of the phrase, “I’m here so I won’t get fined,” before leaving his designated podium. As he exited the arena, fans chimed in with mostly cheers and some boos. Apparently satisfied that he showed, the Pro Football Writers Association of America won’t ask the league to fine Seattle’s mercurial star running back.
Below is a video ad by Skittles, released Monday, in which Lynch holds a mock press conference from his favorite candymaker where he actually answers questions. The Oaklandnative has a sponsorship deal with Skittles, which he regularly eats on the sidelines during games.
Among the questions:
“Would you ever want to hang out with a talking rainbow?”
“If you could live on any planet after you retire from football, what planet would it be?”
“On game day, if you could transport yourself to the field in any way, what would it be: jetpack or blimp?”
“Do you prefer watching cat videos or dog videos online?”
5 Comments
Right On Marshawn!!!!!!!!!! GO HAWKS, REPETE the feat!!!!
Marshawn Lynch is known as The Beast;
On the field is where he will feast.
But with media chores,
He closes the doors
And flips his mode over to “Least”.
I just got done listening to Steve Mariachi on NFL network trying to explain how Lynch has some sort of public speaking phobia. I’m astounded at how misunderstood Lynch is by the national media. This article with his refusal to speak coupled with the connection to the skittles add tells the whole story. The NFL requires NFL players the act as billboards, mouthpieces for the products that the NFL chooses. Its refreshing to see someone with some individuality stand up and keep their voice valuable by choosing to use it for things they profit in.
All bout that action, boss!
When all is said and done, the NFL would fine Marshawn half a million bucks and maybe suspend him from playing Sunday, rather than fine or do anything at all about the NE Patriots cheating in whatever form it is for the customization of ball inflation…
The appropriate thing for the NFL to do is equal Lynches fines and name the Patriots as fined the same amount.