The two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl must feel like an eternity for the sports hungry US media.
The intense focus on both teams means every story about every player deemed tedious or humdrum during the regular season is revisited in depth.
We can expect to hear about the origins of player nicknames, minor or major indiscretions committed months ago and the background of previously unknown players.
More than 5000 members of the media will descend on Glendale, Arizona ahead of the Super Bowl on February 1.
The reason? The country’s obsession with football, especially the ‘World Championship’, and the widespread access to players and coaches.
The Seattle Seahawks punched their ticket to the big dance in dramatic fashion on Sunday, which means the media are going to be granted access to enigmatic running back Marshawn Lynch.
It was about this time twelve months ago that it was revealed Lynch hadn’t spoken to the media at all during the 2013 regular season, a responsibility for all players under the NFL’s media policy.
Lynch was threatened with a $50,000 fine and begrudgingly participated in media interviews ahead of the Seahawks 43-8 blowout of the Broncos in the Superbowl. Seattle’s success, Lynch’s explosive play and his reclusive behaviour have meant he has become more sought after than ever by the media.
They want to speak to him, if only to get a soundbite or quote about an incredible tackle-busting run or three-touchdown performance, but Lynch doesn’t want to be of assistance.
His press conferences or impromptu media opportunities have become a farce this season, he routinely provides the same answer for every question or snubs reporters altogether.
It’s become a story in itself and Lynch’s attempt to take the focus off himself has completely backfired.
In fact, his name has become a verb. To do a Marshawn Lynch means to stymie reporters as much as it does to run over linebackers.
Why not do what his quarterback Russell Wilson does? Thank god, repeatedly, or put all of the praise on your teammates and coaches, point to your preparation and give your opponents credit.
Smile. Nod. Say thank you and it will all be over in a few minutes.
If your comments are routine and boring enough then they won’t even make SportsCenter or the following day’s newspaper.
Instead, Lynch continues to waste the media’s time and his own and court fines from the NFL. So what is his problem?
He has been quoted, believe it or not, as saying: “I appreciate it, but I just don’t get it.”
“I’m just here so I don’t get fined.
“If y’all say y’all is a bridge from the players to the fans, and the fans really ain’t really tripping, then what’s the point?
“What’s the purpose? They got my back. I appreciate that. But I don’t get what’s the bridge being built for.”
He clearly looks uncomfortable doing media, but does that mean he shouldn’t have to? Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, one of the league’s most brash and confident figures, weighed in last year on embracing the media.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m comfortable with my words,” Sherman said. I’m comfortable in front of a crowd – public speaking. Obviously, not everybody in the world is comfortable. Sometimes people get anxiety.”
“Some people are uncomfortable with it, and I really don’t think everybody should be forced to do it because it’s not for everyone. Just because you’re a great football player doesn’t mean you’re going to be great in front of crowds and great in front of a large amount of people, a large audience.
“So I think he [Marshawn Lynch] shouldn’t have to do everything that he doesn’t feel comfortable with.”
The suggestion that Lynch suffers from some sort of social anxiety adds an intriguing aspect to this issue and has been routinely suggested or eluded to by Lynch sympathises.
Most recently, the Seahawks fan who started a petition asking the NFL to revise its media policy so Lynch does not have to talk with reporters.
The exact wording of the petition is:
As a 12, I am calling on the NFL to revise its media policy so that all players are given equal and fair rights as a human being without fear of financial intimidation.
As a fan, I have witnessed enough harassment and undeserving consequences regarding Marshawn Lynch due to his very obvious anxiety interacting with the media. I feel, and many agree, that what you are doing is wrong. You advocate against bullying and domestic violence, but force your players into uncomfortable situations? With a fine attached? There are other players willing to talk to the media and it should be a personal choice.
Your rules state, ‘Reasonable cooperation with the news media is essential to the continuing popularity of our game and its players and coaches.’ I don’t feel your rules are reasonable as they read currently, considering the only benefit ‘popularity’ wise the NFL gets by bullying Marshawn is money out of his pay-check. This is not OK. And it needs to change because its unnecessary and cruel, as well as hypocritical.
“Enough is enough!”
The petition has garnered more than 50,000 signatures, but once it went viral the fan provided an amendment.
To clear up any confusion anyone may have, I’d like to take a moment and clarify to everyone a couple of concerns I have:
Number one, I am not a doctor. I do not have a medical degree in any way.
Number two, I did not intend to insinuate that Marshawn Lynch has an ‘anxiety disorder’ if he in fact does not and I apologise if anyone thinks that is what I said or meant in my petition. I simply made an observation based on the way he reacts to the media in his interviews. To me, it’s clearly obvious he is having discomfort, but again, that is only my observation and opinion.
So does Lynch have an anxiety disorder or does he just not like speaking to media? Does he just like to be difficult? If he does have a debilitating medical condition has he told the NFL or the Seahawks about it?
To date, as far as I can find, Lynch has never publicly mentioned anything about suffering from anxiety, any reference to it is just speculation. Lynch, like all other players, has an obligation to the media and the fans to answer questions.
Sure, he can let his play do the talking, but while he is contracted in the NFL he needs to let his lips do some of the talking too.
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