[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Off topic but I would just like to see people’s views on Marshawn Lynch and his "battle" with the media. I for one applaud him. He has persevered and continually stood for something he believes.  He is an introvert and socially awkward person who hates talking to the media, and I honestly don’t know why they can’t just leave him alone. There are plenty of prima donna’s in the NFL who would love that kind of attention. I don’t understand how Belicheck can continually say "We’re on to Cincinnati", it’s seen as genius and is applauded..but when Beast Mode stiffs the media in the same way, it shines a negative light on him. He refuses to let the NFL pimp him out to the media and I salute him for it!

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

He is genuine. The media’s questions are superficial.

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

He is genuine. The media’s questions are superficial.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I find it ironic that the guy who is a social introvert is also the guy who essentially gave himself the nickname "Beast Mode", in a post game interview in the locker room might I add.  I understand if the guy doesn’t like being around people, or he doesn’t like interviews or whatever it is.  However he is there, how hard is it to give even a half ass answer as opposed to repeating the same thing for 45 minutes.  While I admire that he hasn’t caved to the long dick of the NFL, the fact that people applaud or encourage this is bogus.  Only a professional athlete can show up to work, do whatever they want, including neglecting aspects of their job and get away with it.  If I didn’t check my email for a week… I would be fired.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I find it ironic that the guy who is a social introvert is also the guy who essentially gave himself the nickname "Beast Mode", in a post game interview in the locker room might I add.  I understand if the guy doesn’t like being around people, or he doesn’t like interviews or whatever it is.  However he is there, how hard is it to give even a half ass answer as opposed to repeating the same thing for 45 minutes.  While I admire that he hasn’t caved to the long dick of the NFL, the fact that people applaud or encourage this is bogus.  Only a professional athlete can show up to work, do whatever they want, including neglecting aspects of their job and get away with it.  If I didn’t check my email for a week… I would be fired.

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

Having to answer those thoughtless questions is torture. The media should step up and take responsibility. Lynch doesn’t like doing anything half-ass.

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

Having to answer those thoughtless questions is torture. The media should step up and take responsibility. Lynch doesn’t like doing anything half-ass.

[Toronto16Participant]

He feels the media demonizes black athletes so he refuses to speak to them. Can’t say I blame him.

[Toronto16Participant]

He feels the media demonizes black athletes so he refuses to speak to them. Can’t say I blame him.

[gopack10Participant]

I don’t really blame either party here (media or Lynch).  They are both doing their jobs and doing what they have to do to fulfill those jobs.

I don’t particularly like the way Lynch has handled this situation but that’s just my personal opinion.  It is media coverage and TV ratings that allow him to make his millions to play a game so I think showing a little appreciation would be in order.  He doesn’t have to give elaborate answers but he could give Popp/Belichick answers at a minimum.  And the notion that he’s just "shy" or has "anxiety" is a cop out IMO and is just an excuse to try and deflect that he’s trying to stick it to the NFL.  In my profession I deal with auditors and I don’t particularly like answering their questions at times but I do it because it is part of my job.  And I know he "answered" their questions but there is a difference between what he did and what he should be doing and everyone knows it.

On the flip side, the media members continue to make this a story because they want to.  You know the types of answers he is going to give so why even bother going up to his podium.  Allow him to sit there silently by himself for his five minutes and let him leave.  No point in asking the questions when you know the type of response you’ll get.  It is just as much thier fault that this is a story as it is his fault.  You aren’t getting anything worth while from him so just back off.

This whole thing makes the NFL look ridiculous in my opinion.  But hey, at least this is a story that’s not related to the Patriots deflating balls.

[gopack10Participant]

I don’t really blame either party here (media or Lynch).  They are both doing their jobs and doing what they have to do to fulfill those jobs.

I don’t particularly like the way Lynch has handled this situation but that’s just my personal opinion.  It is media coverage and TV ratings that allow him to make his millions to play a game so I think showing a little appreciation would be in order.  He doesn’t have to give elaborate answers but he could give Popp/Belichick answers at a minimum.  And the notion that he’s just "shy" or has "anxiety" is a cop out IMO and is just an excuse to try and deflect that he’s trying to stick it to the NFL.  In my profession I deal with auditors and I don’t particularly like answering their questions at times but I do it because it is part of my job.  And I know he "answered" their questions but there is a difference between what he did and what he should be doing and everyone knows it.

On the flip side, the media members continue to make this a story because they want to.  You know the types of answers he is going to give so why even bother going up to his podium.  Allow him to sit there silently by himself for his five minutes and let him leave.  No point in asking the questions when you know the type of response you’ll get.  It is just as much thier fault that this is a story as it is his fault.  You aren’t getting anything worth while from him so just back off.

This whole thing makes the NFL look ridiculous in my opinion.  But hey, at least this is a story that’s not related to the Patriots deflating balls.

[Make’Em Say UGHParticipant]

I for one love it. There’s a reason we’re talking about it on a NBA forum. Trust me, it’s better than worse for the NFL to have his enigmatic character in the league. 

It’s also not a scheme, its geniune as hap0 said above.  It’s his mentality. I remember him getting one of his dreads ripped out by a defender, and he nonchalantly picked it up and went back to the huddle after the play. No argument. No beef. No crying to the refs.

Also his one-word comments contain no malice, he just doesn’t want to talk. There’s plenty of athletes who make attempts to embarrass reporters. Maybe if he didn’t play so hard I would feel differently, but as long as he continues his BEAST MODE on the field what’s the big deal.

 

[Make’Em Say UGHParticipant]

I for one love it. There’s a reason we’re talking about it on a NBA forum. Trust me, it’s better than worse for the NFL to have his enigmatic character in the league. 

It’s also not a scheme, its geniune as hap0 said above.  It’s his mentality. I remember him getting one of his dreads ripped out by a defender, and he nonchalantly picked it up and went back to the huddle after the play. No argument. No beef. No crying to the refs.

Also his one-word comments contain no malice, he just doesn’t want to talk. There’s plenty of athletes who make attempts to embarrass reporters. Maybe if he didn’t play so hard I would feel differently, but as long as he continues his BEAST MODE on the field what’s the big deal.

 

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 I agree that Lynch could handle it better. But he gets paid to perform on the football field,  which he does exceptionally well, not answer questions he doesn’t want to answer. His contract stipulates he has to "make himself available" to the media, which he does. He just doesn’t give the answers the NFL wants to hear, and that is the issue. The fact that you dont like his answers is not his prerogative.  The NFL is trying to control another human being and hang a check over his head. Like I said, he might be able to handle this better but he believes in something is isn’t breaking. That’s commendable. 

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 I agree that Lynch could handle it better. But he gets paid to perform on the football field,  which he does exceptionally well, not answer questions he doesn’t want to answer. His contract stipulates he has to "make himself available" to the media, which he does. He just doesn’t give the answers the NFL wants to hear, and that is the issue. The fact that you dont like his answers is not his prerogative.  The NFL is trying to control another human being and hang a check over his head. Like I said, he might be able to handle this better but he believes in something is isn’t breaking. That’s commendable. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Lets be honest guys. I hear all about how he only speaks Ebonics or slurs when he speaks has social anxiety or issues in public places but none of this is relevant. The truth is Marshawn is too hood for T.V., reporters, talk shows, commercials, etc. He is just very hood.

You can’t really define it other than the fact that he is very hood and doesn’t want to deal with anything outside of himand his team on the field. Even with his way of speaking I’m more than sure he can articulate his feelings in an interview but he will make a fool out of himself or someone will make a fool out of him or try to put him in that position and at least he recognizes this and doesn’t put himself in that position

Truth is the NFL and the media would much rather see him pummel a reporter than see him say "I’m just here so I won’t get fined". They need to leave the guy alone and let him do his thing.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Lets be honest guys. I hear all about how he only speaks Ebonics or slurs when he speaks has social anxiety or issues in public places but none of this is relevant. The truth is Marshawn is too hood for T.V., reporters, talk shows, commercials, etc. He is just very hood.

You can’t really define it other than the fact that he is very hood and doesn’t want to deal with anything outside of himand his team on the field. Even with his way of speaking I’m more than sure he can articulate his feelings in an interview but he will make a fool out of himself or someone will make a fool out of him or try to put him in that position and at least he recognizes this and doesn’t put himself in that position

Truth is the NFL and the media would much rather see him pummel a reporter than see him say "I’m just here so I won’t get fined". They need to leave the guy alone and let him do his thing.

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 "I agree that Lynch could handle it better. But he gets paid to perform on the football field, which he does exceptionally well, not answer questions he doesn’t want to answer"

That’s not true at all. You are payed to perform, but that isn’t the only task you have to follow through with. I understand how you guys can relate with him on a personal level with this, but the man is getting a free ride for the rest of his life because of this game. The least he can do is answer a few questions about it once a week. 

I for one hate listening to most of todays "analysts", and prefer to hear what the players/coaches/GM’s/people who actually matter have to same about the games. A lot of the time it’s just scripted trash, but a lot of the time it can be insightful. Marshaun isn’t even giving us the scripped crap. 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 "I agree that Lynch could handle it better. But he gets paid to perform on the football field, which he does exceptionally well, not answer questions he doesn’t want to answer"

That’s not true at all. You are payed to perform, but that isn’t the only task you have to follow through with. I understand how you guys can relate with him on a personal level with this, but the man is getting a free ride for the rest of his life because of this game. The least he can do is answer a few questions about it once a week. 

I for one hate listening to most of todays "analysts", and prefer to hear what the players/coaches/GM’s/people who actually matter have to same about the games. A lot of the time it’s just scripted trash, but a lot of the time it can be insightful. Marshaun isn’t even giving us the scripped crap. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 rebel without a cause. churlish for no good reason. he’s fighting a losing, meaningless battle and in the process making himself look stupid and uncivilized, but i’m sure he’s fine with that. he doesn’t want attention? fine. if that’s the case then he’s going about it all wrong. his actions are actually bringing MORE attention to himself and are only giving more reason for the media to seek him out to get a "story." if you’re in a major professional sports league and you’re good, you’re gonna be in the spotlight. if he doesn’t want the spotlight and can’t handle it, then go the f*** away. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 rebel without a cause. churlish for no good reason. he’s fighting a losing, meaningless battle and in the process making himself look stupid and uncivilized, but i’m sure he’s fine with that. he doesn’t want attention? fine. if that’s the case then he’s going about it all wrong. his actions are actually bringing MORE attention to himself and are only giving more reason for the media to seek him out to get a "story." if you’re in a major professional sports league and you’re good, you’re gonna be in the spotlight. if he doesn’t want the spotlight and can’t handle it, then go the f*** away. 

[SpacegrassParticipant]

 He doesn’t want attention but he can do a Skittles commercial.  The media is made up of a lot of bags and less are good and reputable than the other way around.  So I understand his reservations but he is handling it wrong. If I were the Seahawks I wouldn’t let guys like he or Sherman talk and leave it to guys like Baldwin or Wilson.  At least Lynch is just not polished as a speaker.  Sherman on the other hand just thinks because he talks loud/emphatically/emotionally and has a Stanford degree that he doesn’t sound like a fool.

[SpacegrassParticipant]

 He doesn’t want attention but he can do a Skittles commercial.  The media is made up of a lot of bags and less are good and reputable than the other way around.  So I understand his reservations but he is handling it wrong. If I were the Seahawks I wouldn’t let guys like he or Sherman talk and leave it to guys like Baldwin or Wilson.  At least Lynch is just not polished as a speaker.  Sherman on the other hand just thinks because he talks loud/emphatically/emotionally and has a Stanford degree that he doesn’t sound like a fool.

[JCliff24Participant]

 He made it Very clear what his response would be to the media yet they asked questions for FIVE minutes straight. FIVE! Leave the guy alone. 

[JCliff24Participant]

 He made it Very clear what his response would be to the media yet they asked questions for FIVE minutes straight. FIVE! Leave the guy alone. 

[doubledribblerParticipant]

No one wants to be real. Who can honestly say they want to hear Lynch speak? Do you look forward to the post game interview or the game? If you are worried about an interview from guys getting their brains beat out every week then maybe you should be watching Jerry Springer. I never see people get passed off when Bellicheck or Pop give generic answers or repeat themselves. Wasn’t it just last year everyone was riding Sherman for talking too much. Derrick Rose never says anything. He goes off of the both teams played hard script and people were all over him. When you tell the truth, show confidence or actually say what you think the media and fans flip it on you. So why give them a knife to stab in your back?

After the play clock winds down on Sunday I’m turning the channel. I watch sports to see the best perform. Most men I know don’t sit around hoping for a soap opera.

[doubledribblerParticipant]

No one wants to be real. Who can honestly say they want to hear Lynch speak? Do you look forward to the post game interview or the game? If you are worried about an interview from guys getting their brains beat out every week then maybe you should be watching Jerry Springer. I never see people get passed off when Bellicheck or Pop give generic answers or repeat themselves. Wasn’t it just last year everyone was riding Sherman for talking too much. Derrick Rose never says anything. He goes off of the both teams played hard script and people were all over him. When you tell the truth, show confidence or actually say what you think the media and fans flip it on you. So why give them a knife to stab in your back?

After the play clock winds down on Sunday I’m turning the channel. I watch sports to see the best perform. Most men I know don’t sit around hoping for a soap opera.

[phila9012Participant]

 Lynch gets no benefit from answering the questions the media asks. And if you read anything about his life growing up you would see he has trust issues because of the hard life he came from. He doesn’t seem that comfortable around a lot people like the media. All of his teammates love him. If the media wants answers they need to take the time to build trust and get to know him like the E60 profile. He told the one reporter to come to his charity if he wants to know about it and Lynch would be happy to talk about it. He sees how fake the interviews are and sees there is nothing to gain by talking to the media, that says more about the media than him. 

[phila9012Participant]

 Lynch gets no benefit from answering the questions the media asks. And if you read anything about his life growing up you would see he has trust issues because of the hard life he came from. He doesn’t seem that comfortable around a lot people like the media. All of his teammates love him. If the media wants answers they need to take the time to build trust and get to know him like the E60 profile. He told the one reporter to come to his charity if he wants to know about it and Lynch would be happy to talk about it. He sees how fake the interviews are and sees there is nothing to gain by talking to the media, that says more about the media than him. 

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