Fansided

NFL, Marshawn Lynch reach settlement on media-boycott fine

By Kyle Franzoni

Jan 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) at press conference at Arizona Grand in advance of Super Bowl XLIX. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) at press conference at Arizona Grand in advance of Super Bowl XLIX. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Marshawn Lynch has apparently struck a deal with the NFL to reduce his fine for not talking to the media following the NFC Championship Game

Marshawn Lynch no longer appears to be at odds with the NFL regarding the $75,000 fine he received for not talking with the media following the 2015 NFC Championship Game. The two parties have reached a settlement on the fine and the hearing to discuss the appeal has been cancelled per Ian Rappaport of NFL.com.

The settlement on the fine, while undisclosed at this time, will apparently include a requirement that Lynch abides by the NFL’s media policies moving forward. One would imagine that the stipulations include that Lynch must also defer off of his lauded responses at Super Bowl Media Week, where he gave such great answers to questions as, “I’m just here so I don’t get fines,” and “You know why I’m here”. Those replies were enough to adhere to his media responsibilities during the Super Bowl, but may not cut it moving forward.

As part of the settlement, Lynch will also drop his appeal of a $20,000 fine, a punishment incurred when the running back grabbed his crotch toward Green Bay Packer fans during the NFC Championship. Lynch carried the ball 25 times and accumulated 157 yards and a touchdown on the ground during the January 18th game against Green Bay. He also caught one pass for 26 yards on the day, helping the Seahawks overcome a 16-7 deficit after three quarters to advance to the Super Bowl.

Lynch continued to dominate in the Super Bowl as well, running for 102 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. However, the one carry he didn’t get was perhaps the most important in the game.

With Seattle on the one-yard line and 26 seconds on the clock, the Seahawks opted to go to the pass on second down rather than hand the ball for the bull-like Lynch. Instead of pounding the ball over the line for the go-ahead touchdown, Russell Wilson threw a slant pass, which was promptly intercepted by Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots. The play is seen by many as one of the worst play-calls in the history of football.

Of course, Lynch likely could afford to pay the fine whether it was reduced or not. In addition to making $12.5 million in 2015 (including bonuses), Lynch also filed a trademark on the phrase “I’m just here”. He can use the proceeds from that trademark to settle this and any future fines.

Next: Top 10 NFL players that retired too soon

More from NFL

Home/NFL