Marshawn Lynch exposes absurdity of NFL media coverage

Marshawn Lynch exposes absurdity of NFL media coverage

The two best teams in the NFL are playing each other this Sunday, which should be the story, but Lynch's nonstory is getting more press than the upcoming game.

Marshawn Lynch grew up in an area of Oakland most sportswriters would speed through with their windows locked. He has a Super Bowl ring, multiple Pro Bowl selections, and a violent rushing style that makes grown men in the NFL look like division 5 high school players. He has earned the nickname “Beast Mode,” and his play on the field speaks for itself.

Earlier this season, Lynch was fined $100,000 for his refusal to speak to reporters after games. This week Lynch has once again given NFL reporters the “sort-of silent treatment” by repeating the same statement to any questions asked. Repeatedly he answered questions with “I’m thankful.”  In another interview all he would say was “yeah.” “Thanks for ‘axin‘” was his only response in another.  Repeating “you know why I’m here ” over and over punctuated answers to another set of questions.

I’m just here so I won’t get fined,” and not much else was the extent of the conversation in another round with the media, with Lynch spending most of the interview avoiding even looking at the interviewers. Finally, to uproarious laughs from everyone including Lynch, one of the other players stepped in to answer the questions for him, leading to probably the best Lynch interview of the week.

Many would say no one can blame Lynch. ESPN is a 24/7 sports news source that shows highlights of games, gives “expert analysis” of players, offers a barrage of heart-felt stories, and often jumps as deep into off-field issues than on-field results. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Terrell Owens and Brett Favre have all felt the wrath of having their personal lives exposed by the media.

Marshawn Lynch wants no part of it, clearly wanting no attention off the field..

Lynch is a fan favorite. His is one of the top-selling jerseys in the NFL, and he is routinely selected in the first round of fantasy football drafts. It is safe to say that, regardless of what he says to the media, he is making the NFL a substantial amount of money, but that is not enough. The NFL and the media want more than a football player focused on playing football.

Marshawn Lynch is obviously not looking for friends in the media or NFL. However, to win a Super Bowl, it takes team effort. For Lynch to find success on the ground, the big-bodied linemen in front of him have to execute their blocking assignments. However, most people cannot name anyone on Seattle’s offensive line, nor do reporters bother to flock to the locker of linemen after a game, showing a lack of support for those the fan favorites depend on.

Usually if a story depends on an interview and the interview does not happen, there is no story. In this case, the non-story of Marshawn Lynch is the story.

In all the hoopla of Media Week, nobody seems to be discussing the game. Two great defenses and well-rounded offenses, led by great decision-making quarterbacks and anchored by the two most bruising running backs in the NFL, are going to square off Sunday. The two best teams in the NFL are playing each other this weekend, which should be the story, but sports media coverage is finding something else to talk about. And Marshawn Lynch finds something more not to talk about.

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