Marshawn Lynch may have just established a baseline for the minimal amount of effort that one can put into an NFL press conference and still avoid the wrath of the league office.
Lynch drew a lot of attention for his Super Bowl media appearances due to how perfunctory they were. Although he did take questions from the press for the mandated minimum amount of time, Lynch was explicitly and hilariously clear that he was only showing up so that he wouldn’t be fined.
After a review, the NFL has decided that there are no reasons to fine Lynch for how he conducted himself during his media sessions. NFL spokesman Michael Signora emailed a statement to Pro Football Talk on the decision:
“Marshawn Lynch complied with his obligation to attend all required media sessions at the Super Bowl. “
Signora also stated that Lynch would not be fined for wearing his “Beast Mode” hat during the Super Bowl press conferences. It was reported earlier that the league was looking into the matter because Lynch’s hat is not considered official Super Bowl apparel. However, because the hat was made by New Era, an NFL partner, and it was in the Seahawks’ colors, the NFL saw no reason to fine Lynch for his hat choice.
“In addition, there is no basis for a fine for the hat he wore at the media sessions, which was made by and given to him by an NFL licensee, New Era, and was in team colors.”
In other words, we can all anticipate more wonderful Marshawn Lynch interviews and incredibly salty hot takes from reporters next season.
