Marshawn Lynch showed up at Super Bowl media day, and by his standards, he gave a long interview. By normal media day standards, however, Lynch’s day was quite brief. The star running back, who was not assigned a podium, which is the norm for high-profile players, stood in front of a crush of reporters for approximately 6 ½ minutes before calling it a day. Lynch did return (likely after being told he could be fined if he didn’t) but stood far enough removed from reporters that he was able to ignore questions shouted at him. He did give a couple of interviews to people who had access beyond where the normal credentialed media could enter, including this one to Deion Sanders of the NFL Network.
Here’s the transcript of Lynch’s session:
Upon realizing there were fans in attendance, Lynch said, “Are there fans watching y’all do this? Man, I appreciate this. This is love right here, straight up. They came to watch people get interviewed? This is amazing right here, man.”
Why do interviews make you uncomfortable? “I think you’re just taking it wrong. It don’t make me uncomfortable.”
So you just don’t like it? “Nope. I’m just about action. You say ‘hut’ and there’s action. All the unnecessary talk, it don’t do nothing for me. I appreciate that people want to hear from me, but I just go to work and do my thing. Just chilling, you feel me?”
Bud do you understand that media helps fans connect with players? “I understand that. My fans love me regardless. They love the Seahawks. They aren’t worried about what I’ve got to say. They just want to make sure I show up to perform.”
Is it gratifying to feel that from fans? “It’s big, man. It’s big.”
At that point, a reporter caught in a crush comments on the ridiculousness of the setup: “You don’t like it either, huh? They just be throwing (stuff) all in your face, I don’t get it.”
Thoughts on Denver’s defense? “They’re a talented defense. They’re a great defense. They’re out there to do their thing. I’m more worried about what we’ve got going on.”
Why, as a prominent player on the team, are you not at a podium? “I like to keep it low key, man. I like to keep it low key, man.”
On Michael Robinson at media day: “He’s big-time, man. He enjoys that, with the mics and everything; the Real Rob Report. He enjoys that kind of stuff. That’s right up his alley.”
What does it mean to have Michael Robinson back on the team? “It’s big. He’s a mentor for me. He’s got a lot of knowledge about the game, and he plays with passion. That’s something I can identify with and that’s my boy.”
When was the first time you thought about playing in the Super Bowl “It was probably the first time I told my momma that I was going to play in the NFL. I was young, (in) probably Pop Warner playing for the Saints. It was right there in West Oakland. Right there at Raimondi Park, about to bounce out, I told her that. She remembered though, she reminded me of it, too.
Will your mom be at the Super Bowl? “Yeah, she’ll be here”
What’s bigger, winning the Silver Bowl, the Oakland city championship, as a high school player or being in the Super Bowl? “I don’t know. That’s tough, man. To this point, that is a highlight of my life, winning that Silver Bowl in Oakland. That’s pretty big time for me.”
Can you take your level of intensity even higher for the Super Bowl? “Every time I go on the field, boss, I give what I got. That’s just straight up.”
Does your style of play take a toll on your body? “Football takes a toll on your body. That’s just the way I play, so I guess I’m kind of used to it or something.”
Is this what you envisioned when you were traded from Buffalo to Seattle? “What’s that, a lot of cameras and microphones in my face? No.
“You know, it was an opportunity for me to go and see if there was something else out there. I’m glad I got the chance to do that, to come see some crazy stuff like this right here. But I’m just pleased with the opportunity I have to get up out of there.”
But you didn’t know what would happen in Seattle? “I didn’t. I just rolled with my gut, straight up. I took that feeling right then and there that this was the best situation.”
Have you been able to enjoy the moment? “A little bit. I won’t be satisfied with this until it’s all over.”
With a win, correct? “That’s when I’ll be satisfied. So until then, I’ve got work, but I appreciate all this. Y’all have a good day.”
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