NFL, Media Need to Calm Down About Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch

By Casey Drottar @cdrottar19 on January 28, 2015

Yesterday, the world was treated to the annual circus known as Super Bowl media day. Any and all players and coaches involved with the NFL’s biggest game were present to answer questions from numerous hoards of media pundits.

Of course, everyone was waiting to see how Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch would treat this session. Not exactly crazy about dealing with cameras and microphones, Lynch has spent the entire year either being fined for not speaking to press after games or giving them one answer to every single question asked. So, naturally, the football world was eager to see which route he would take yesterday.

He did not disappoint. Lynch took to the stage, told the press he was going to answer every single question with “I’m here so I won’t get fined,” and then proceeded to do just that. It was yet another lovely gem from Lynch, one which could be filed away with the “thanks for asking,” “maybe,” and “yeah” responses he treated media with during this season.

Of course, many in the press were less than pleased. Throughout the year, including yesterday, media pundits have noted how these Lynch press conferences were “rude” or “unprofessional,” or even resorted to calling him an idiot.

It should be noted, too, Lynch truly was only at yesterday’s session to avoid fines, as the NFL reportedly threatened him with a $500,000 penalty if he didn’t show. Makes sense. Why wouldn’t you tell a player he’ll be half a million poorer if he doesn’t take the stage to wax poetically about how excited he is to play in the Super Bowl?

This whole thing is getting ridiculous. Too many people are making Lynch’s press conference antics out to be way more serious than they really are. Both the NFL and the media need to just relax about all of this and stop overblowing the ghastly crime of one player not giving generic takes on football.

And, yes, I’m fully aware Lynch is contractually required to talk to the media. At the same time, what exactly is the point of the NFL continuing to ramp up fines if he doesn’t fulfill this duty?

Lynch has made it very apparent he’s willing to accept being fined by the league for not speaking to the media. If this is the case, why wouldn’t the NFL just say “screw it” and keep fining him the same amount knowing full-well he’s going to be giving them money for not showing up? Why go as far as to threaten him with such an enormous amount?

Players who commit illegal hits on the field get fined significantly less than $500K. What the league appears to be saying is Lynch not talking to the media is a much more heinous offense than helmet-to-helmet tackles. Seems like a really solid message to send across the league.

Maybe the important question is whether or not the NFL feels like they won the battle when they threatened him with a fine and he responded with “yeah” or “thanks for asking.” If so, more power to them, I guess. It certainly doesn’t appear to satisfy the media.

Speaking of which, I completely understand the frustration about a player withholding insightful comments after a game. But, would the media’s job be easier if he gave canned answers like “we’re taking it one game at a time” or “we’re just going to go out there and give 100%?” Couldn’t you argue the media already has itself a story with the uncomfortable and, therefore, rebellious nature of Lynch’s press conferences?

You could say Lynch isn’t providing anything for anyone to write about leading up to the Super Bowl, but a quick search of his name or scan of any sports media site begs to differ. Many members of the press openly complained about Lynch not giving them anything to write about…in their articles about Lynch not giving them anything to write about. Based on much of what’s being written about Lynch’s antics yesterday, you would think the running back ruined what was supposed to be a day full of commentary about the biggest game of the year.

Come on. Let’s keep pretending every other aspect of yesterday’s media day was nothing but professional. You know, with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick talking about his favorite stuffed animal or Bon Jovi, or perhaps Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski reading excerpts from an erotic fiction written about him before being prompted to sing Katy Perry lyrics.

Yeah, Lynch giving the same answer over and over again is what made yesterday such a mess. So glad the NFL forced him to be there.

It all just makes this craziness about Lynch, both from the league and the press, so insane. The NFL treats his reluctance to talk to the media like an unspeakable offense, and the press follows up by rioting about his lack of “gee golly, I can’t wait to play Sunday” hot takes.

If the press wants to find the most stress-free solution to all of this, they should simply just stop talking to him. They already know what they’re going to get, and nothing he’s done this year gives any indication Lynch is one press conference away from finally becoming a quote machine. Heck, he opened his session yesterday by literally telling everyone he was going to answer every single question with the exact same answer.

Let’s face it, 98% of all pre- or post-game interviews are essentially the same in terms of content. Players don’t usually appear to be anything more than drones giving the media token clichés and basic responses. Those fiery, personality-laced tirades? You see those maybe once or twice a season, and then recycled years later in Coors Light commercials.

So, no, I don’t see what all the fuss is about with Lynch and his one-phrase answers to any and all questions. And, since his routine is unlikely to change any time soon, maybe the NFL and media should start feeling the same way about it.

Casey Drottar is a Featured Columnist for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter or “Like” him on Facebook