The best part of the NFL offseason is not having to hear about Marshawn Lynch’s feud with the media. We can all agree on that. But as much as we need a break from that ongoing battle, we couldn’t help but laugh after hearing this story given Lynch’s reticent relationship with NFL reporters.
Lynch finally sat down with a network to open up about the ending of Super Bowl XLIX. Since we all have the attention span the size of a fruit fly, let’s recall that the Seahawks decided to throw the ball at the 1 yard line in the dying seconds instead of handing the ball to Lynch. Russell Wilson was intercepted and the rest as they say is history.
So who did Lynch grant this big exclusive to? ESPN? Fox Sports 1? NBC News? Extra? No. Naturally, it was NTV Spor in Turkey.
Lynch was apparently in Turkey working for a non-profit called American Football Without Barriers with other NFL players. His comments via Shutdown Corner:
“To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was expecting the ball. Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it’s a team sport.
“I had no problem with the decision of the playcalling. I mean, you know … I think it was more of a … how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in … I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl … that’s pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time. I don’t know what went into that call. I mean, maybe it was a good thing that I didn’t get the ball. I mean, you know, it cost us the Super Bowl. I mean, I have full … I have full confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we’ve done it so many more times. But would I love to had the ball in? Yes, I would have.
“But the game is over, and I am in Turkey.”
“The game is over and I am in Turkey” is the new “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” That has to be a candidate for a new Beast Mode shirt.
We all spent the better part of a week obsessing over Marshawn Lynch not talking to the media and why he was being such a big meanie to NFL reporters and here he is doing a half hour interview in Turkey. If that isn’t the ultimate troll job I don’t know what is. The whole Marshawn Lynch vs The Media label is maybe a bit misguided. Lynch has shown a willingness to open up to pretty much everyone except NFL reporters and writers.
I hope that Lynch continues to ignore the American football media while granting interviews to countries around the globe. I want to see ESPN crediting Stöð 2 Sport out of Iceland instead of “media reports” next season for the next Lynch exclusive.
* And just as a quick tangent on the actual substance of Lynch’s remarks – can we stop the conspiracy theories with that last play call? Some people might think there was a huge conspiracy to throw the ball at the 1 and thus not give Lynch an opportunity to win the Super Bowl MVP award and become the face of the league. But if that was the case, why would the Seahawks hand the ball off to Lynch on the play before when it was 1st & Goal at the 5? Did they plan for him to get precisely 4 yards instead of 5? Would a teammate have tackled him if he threatened to score? Please!
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