Seahawks' Lynch at media day 'so I don't get fined'
Phoenix — People hoping Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch would suddenly open up to the media before Sunday's Super Bowl had their dreams dashed at media day Tuesday at U.S. Airways Center.
This time, though, the superstar of Seattle's offense gave a warning to the waiting reporters.
"I'm just here so I don't get fined, so y'all can sit here and ask me all the questions y'all want to," he said. "I'm going to answer with the same answer. Y'all can shoot if y'all please. I'm here for a limited time."
Wearing white and gold sunglasses and a couple beaded necklaces, Lynch walked to his podium on the corner of the floor with about 200 reporters waiting in front of him and many others in the nearby arena seating and staircase.
Prior to the Seahawks' hour-long media day session, ESPN reported the NFL threatened to fine Lynch $500,000 for not showing up to the event with thousands of reporters and fans.
Sure enough, he stayed true to his opening statement.
"I'm here so I won't get fined," he said, in some form, to every question.
After about five minutes, Lynch looked at his phone and exited the podium. Before leaving, though, he caught a bag of Skittles — the candy he eats during games — and picked up a reporter's recorder as he walked away.
Lynch received a $100,000 fine in November for ducking his media responsibilities. Players are required to talk to the media at least once during the week and after each game. His teammates, though, support Lynch.
"I think he believes in something and he stands for it," said defensive end Cliff Avril, a former Lion. "I don't blame him for doing it. If you believe something, you should definitely stand for it and that's just his opinion on everything."
Asked if he could change one NFL rule, Avril said it would be players receiving fines for not talking to the media.
"That would definitely be No. 1 just for the simple fact you have a right not to say what you want to say," Avril said.
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