Marshawn Lynch, the crotch-grabbing, interview-hating star running back for the Seattle Seahawks, had a simple message for reporters at the NFL's annual pre-Super Bowl XLIX media day circus: He's just there so he won't get fined.
Lynch answered every question on Tuesday afternoon the same way: "I'm just here so I won't get fined." The NFL had previously threatened -- you guessed it -- massive fines for Lynch if he refused to talk to media before the game, as he did before much of last year's Super Bowl.
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The full, unedited interview is embedded atop this post, but this Vine pretty much sums it up:
Lynch, a Cal Bear and Oakland Technical High School alum, employed a similar strategy at a previous media session this year. After one game, he answered all questions with a simple "yeah." After another, he answered all questions with variations of the phrase, "I appreciate you asking."
Perhaps he should consider a career in politics?
Marshawn Lynch was disciplined and hit on all of his talking points today. A political consultant's dream.— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 27, 2015
But wait! Lynch recently did give a full press conference of sorts in a funny YouTube spot for Skittles, the candy he's long loved:
According to Seattle TV reporter Chris Daniels, Lynch's Skittles deal, plus another recent deal with Progressive, will raise money for his Fam 1st Family Foundation.
In the last 24 hrs, @MoneyLynch has two deals - Skittles, & Progressive - and they're both raising money for his @fam1stfam foundation.— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) January 27, 2015
Now that's keeping it real.
Wow. JUST REVEALED: @MoneyLynch's #SB49 jersey: pic.twitter.com/zuvSyYfllH— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) January 27, 2015
Lynch, it's worth noting, hasn't always been so taciturn around the media. After a high school game at Oakland Tech, he could barely contain his glee about treating teammates to Sizzler:
His finest moment, however, had to have come at Cal, when he commandeered an injury cart for a celebratory on-field spin following a win:
We'll see whether or not the NFL still tries to fine him after his less-gregarious Tuesday media day appearance.