Lynch might retire??

[obiken]

Real deal no joke. Front page of the PI. I guess Schneider was on Brock Huard (Kiro) saying a good chance he is going to toss it in.
Man I would like to have him one more year. I don't like him as a person but as a player he is par excellence.

[HumanCockroach]

Not what Schneider said, and it shouldn't be a surprise about this as it has been discussed for a while now. If he does, he does. I'll be sorry to see him go, but he wouldn't be the first back to retire "early" and with the pounding the guy has taken, he deserves the ability to mull his options.

[obiken]

The article seemed to hype it you can check the PI and see if I misquoted, if so I am sorry. I hope he doesn't. My Favorite Hawk back is still Curt Warner!

[NorthHawk]

I hope not, but I understand his taking as much time as he needs considering they way he plays the game.

I don't know him as a person, but other than the media availability, I think he's as much of a stand up guy as any one of us on this forum.
He does a lot of good things for his community that don't get noticed and of course he has done some dumb things, too. It's called living life.
The difference is his mistakes are splashed across the Front pages.

[HumanCockroach]

The article seemed to hype it you can check the PI and see if I misquoted, if so I am sorry. I hope he doesn't. My Favorite Hawk back is still Curt Warner!

Schneider said the Seahawks want him back, and they have told Lynch and his agent that, and how important they are to them, but that they can't make that decision for Lynch, and they understand that he will need some time to consider it, but that they hope he makes the decision as soon as possible so if he does want to retire they can move forward.

Doesn't sound like a certainty, or even a probability, just something that all players that play the way he does, has to think about at his age...

If he does, that certainly can be respected by me. No player has given more to this team in recent memory, but I'm not stressing about it one way or another, the man has to do what is right for him and his family.

[Distant Relative]

I don't like him as a person but as a player he is par excellence.

May I ask why?

[obiken]

Its a prejudice, I did 26 years in Corrections and I do not believe any race is superior or inferior to another. However, I am so tired of the inner city young Afro American gangster, or quasi gangster. Moss, Owens, Rice, Stevens, Baldwin pooping on the ball, Steve Smith who is a jerk, Deshawn Jackson, LaGarrette Blount, Cliff Harris, here at the U of O, and of course Lynch. Why cant these guys just be happy and play the game and not act arrogant or stupid. Barry Sanders, Emmitt, Payton, or dare I say Jerry Rice, all did it with class and greatness.
Why not just bring queue cards and meet with the press. The uniform is uniform that's why they call it a uniform, ask Jim McMahon. Grabbing your jewels?? Come on these guys are role models and he is doing that. IF Football is bad round ball is worse. I know growing up poor in the projects is not an easy life, but there is a line there. I don't hate anyone, but I am worn out on it.

[RiverDog]

I'm a little like Obi in that I am not all that enamored with Lynch personally. The rumors about his reaction to the Harvin trade were quite disturbing, his crotch grab, while at funny at first, has lost its humor with me, his standing up of the POTUS was IMO was disrespectful both to the man as well as to the office, and these constant fights with the league, although I'm mostly on his side with it, is starting to wear thin. He's not the reincarnation of the Devil, but he's also not going to make my Top 10 list of all time favorite Seahawk players. Obi is exactly right. These guys are role models, and Lynch's "I don't give a rip about what others think of me" is selfish and irresponsible IMO.

But he's undeniably one of the best running backs in the league and arguably one of the best YAC backs ever to have played, brings a certain nastiness to our team with that chip on the shoulder that's hard to quantify. I do think he has another year or two at his current level that we can squeeze out of him and I am glad to see that the Hawks, like I have done, have set aside any personal objections they may have had to his eccentric behavior and are doing their best to bring him back. Our offense needs him, indeed our team in general needs him. I don't see either Turbin, Michael, or any combination of the two, coming close to replicating both the production and the attitude he gives us, nor am I interested in any of the FA RB's on the market, including Murray and Peterson.

[NorthHawk]

The only thing he has consistently done "wrong" is ignore the media. Other than doing some stupid things in real life that many if not most of us have done, I don't think he's been a bad role model. He's hard working, gives 100% effort, doesn't complain, respects his team mates and opponents, and has focused on and succeeded in his life to be in a position where he has the right to express in his own way his displeasure at the current state of the league. He's taken himself from being a kid from nowhere to being a multimillionaire by hard work alone. Isn't that the story we all want to see?

Some say he's thumbing his nose at authority. It's the NFL and it's contradictory messages he's resisting, not society.

[RiverDog]

The only thing he has consistently done "wrong" is ignore the media. Other than doing some stupid things in real life that many if not most of us have done, I don't think he's been a bad role model. He's hard working, gives 100% effort, doesn't complain, respects his team mates and opponents, and has focused on and succeeded in his life to be in a position where he has the right to express in his own way his displeasure at the current state of the league. He's taken himself from being a kid from nowhere to being a multimillionaire by hard work alone. Isn't that the story we all want to see?

Some say he's thumbing his nose at authority. It's the NFL and it's contradictory messages he's resisting, not society.

He also ignored the POTUS. And as far as being a bad role model, do you really want your son or daughter celebrating by grabbing their crotch?

[NorthHawk]

"He also ignored the POTUS. And as far as being a bad role model, do you really want your son or daughter celebrating by grabbing their crotch?"

I would have a talk with them, but I wouldn't set my hair on fire about it.
My talk would be something along the lines of once you have become one of the best in the world, you have the right to express yourself.
Until then, work as hard as he has towards that goal and once there, do as you want - as long as you don't embarrass the family.

[HumanCockroach]

Sometimes I wonder if this debate is a generational thing. I love individuality, and to me Lynch is certainly an individual, and while some of his actions I would have an issue with from my son, and would certainly talk to him about ( crotch crab thing) making it seem like he is doing it each and every game or touchdown is ridiculous, he hasn't and wouldn't have even IF the NFL had said nothing.

As for skipping the WH visit, whatever, some people hold the office in "high esteem" some don't, personally I don't feel the need to put the office or the man higher than any person I have ever met, and don't believe in levels of importance being adjusted for the amount of power an individual holds. Maybe that is just me, or maybe it's my generation, but making a huge deal out of Lynch not attending something that means nothing ( and no no matter how much someone wants to make it into to something, it is no more than a gathering of press yet again, and a bunch of slapping each other on the back) players aren't changing government policy, or improving race relations, or setting an "example" everyone seems so enamored with, they are accepting an award, letting the media witness it, and nothing else. IF it WAS something important, does anyone believe the NFL would allow players to miss it? Of course not. It's a "priviledge" and last I checked, no one is required to participate in a priviledge, nor should they be chastised for choosing not to. Lynch "earned" it, and then decided not to take advantage of it.

As for thumbing his nose at the NFL big wigs? So what? If anyone deserves to made a joke ( not like they need help in this regard) it's the NFL and their hypocritical, double talking, BS spewing,selves. The NFL management is a joke top to bottom, that cares only about their bottom line, uses players for their profit, and some aren't falling in line, because of their history of doing so, and it isn't in the least limited to Lynch.

[RiverDog]

"He also ignored the POTUS. And as far as being a bad role model, do you really want your son or daughter celebrating by grabbing their crotch?"

I would have a talk with them, but I wouldn't set my hair on fire about it.
My talk would be something along the lines of once you have become one of the best in the world, you have the right to express yourself.
Until then, work as hard as he has towards that goal and once there, do as you want - as long as you don't embarrass the family.

There's not a lot of issues that sets your hair on fire, North...and I say that as a complement. But I have to tell you that I would not be nearly as tolerant as you are of a son or daughter that embarrassed their family, their coaches, teammates, fans, etc by doing something many interpret as obscene and do it in public.

I don't think my attitude is generational. My generation, ie those born in the 50's, had their fair share of Marshawn Lynch's and there's a lot of my fellow baby boomers that don't see anything wrong about the crotch grab. It's also not something that I grew to dislike as I got older, either, as I didn't care much for that kind of crap 30 years ago. As far as disrespecting the POTUS, I'm a history buff and very sensitive to the cost of the liberties we enjoy and get easily agitated when I see signs of disrespect. I've never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since I started voting back in 1972 but I still respect the man that holds the office, including the current occupant.

[NorthHawk]

There were a couple of players in the past who didn't go to the White House to visit with the President BECAUSE of his or their political views.
Nothing much was said of that and I think that is more of an insult than whatever Marshawn's reasons - assuming his choice wasn't political.
We don't know why he didn't go. There were some rumors, but nothing definitive. Maybe he had other commitments with his foundation or maybe he thought he would be a distraction with all the media wanting to talk to him and he didn't want that attention.
I don't know why he would pass up that chance to walk in the same hallways as Lincoln and others, but I respect his decision as a man to do so.

I was born in the 50's, too but the world has changed since we were kids and we just have to accept that others don't see the world as we did or still do.

[Hawktown]

Sometimes I wonder if this debate is a generational thing. I love individuality, and to me Lynch is certainly an individual, and while some of his actions I would have an issue with from my son, and would certainly talk to him about ( crotch crab thing) making it seem like he is doing it each and every game or touchdown is ridiculous, he hasn't and wouldn't have even IF the NFL had said nothing.

As for skipping the WH visit, whatever, some people hold the office in "high esteem" some don't, personally I don't feel the need to put the office or the man higher than any person I have ever met, and don't believe in levels of importance being adjusted for the amount of power an individual holds. Maybe that is just me, or maybe it's my generation, but making a huge deal out of Lynch not attending something that means nothing ( and no no matter how much someone wants to make it into to something, it is no more than a gathering of press yet again, and a bunch of slapping each other on the back) players aren't changing government policy, or improving race relations, or setting an "example" everyone seems so enamored with, they are accepting an award, letting the media witness it, and nothing else. IF it WAS something important, does anyone believe the NFL would allow players to miss it? Of course not. It's a "priviledge" and last I checked, no one is required to participate in a priviledge, nor should they be chastised for choosing not to. Lynch "earned" it, and then decided not to take advantage of it.

As for thumbing his nose at the NFL big wigs? So what? If anyone deserves to made a joke ( not like they need help in this regard) it's the NFL and their hypocritical, double talking, BS spewing,selves. The NFL management is a joke top to bottom, that cares only about their bottom line, uses players for their profit, and some aren't falling in line, because of their history of doing so, and it isn't in the least limited to Lynch.

Great way to word it HC!!!

[Hawktown]

Hope Lynch stays but if he retires, I understand too.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm a history buff and very sensitive to the cost of the liberties we enjoy and get easily agitated when I see signs of disrespect

I find this a fascinating statement, as I was always taught, and led to believe that expressing ones individuality and feelings, as well as choosing how to live ones life, and what someone does with that life, is indeed one of the liberties that were fought for, and that includes things like not going somewhere or doing something you don't "want" to do, whether you have a good reason in other peoples eyes or not. Whether you want to talk or not, whether you want to express yourself in a way people like or not ( as long as it breaks no rules, or laws, which Lynch did NOT do no matter how the NFL wants to swing it, Lynch did something that wasn't against the rules, and they had to MAKE a new rule to cover it, or in this case, they used a vague rule to do so)....

Seems to me RD, that you are missing the POINT of freedom and liberty if you are going to chastise Lynch for doing exactly what those people sacrificed to create.

( FYI according to Lynch's mother, her sister was extremely sick ( passed away recently from cancer) and Lynch skipped the visit to be with his family. At no point IMHO should a visit to the WH, or a media glad handing back slapping event, ever be placed in front of family. Like the man said, he cares about the people he faces at home, the ones who love him)

[THX-1138]

If my kids are looking to Marshawn Lynch as a role model before looking at me then I deserve to have irresponsible and ill-mannered children.

As far as poor examples of public figures go, Lynch isn't even on my own personal radar. I don't like the word "obligation". I determine what my own obligations are, not some third party. It's the price of freedom. My obligations start at being a decent human being to all those I come in contact with. To look after my family with every fiber of my being. To not knowingly take action that could cause harm. My schedule and to whom I speak are for me to decide, and I fully accept the consequences. And I respect anyone who has their own set of obligations as long as they don't clash with mine. That doesn't mean someone won't get a good argument from me; I just won't be telling them what hat to wear or to whom they have to speak.

Lynch is a RB for my favorite team. As long as he does that well and doesn't break the law or hurt people I say he should live his life by his rules. We can all wish he behaved differently but you know what they say about wishing in one hand and crapping in the other.

Upon review: ^^^ HumanCockRoach said it far better than I did. I agree with everything you posted 100%.

[RiverDog]

I find this a fascinating statement, as I was always taught, and led to believe that expressing ones individuality and feelings, as well as choosing how to live ones life, and what someone does with that life, is indeed one of the liberties that were fought for, and that includes things like not going somewhere or doing something you don't "want" to do, whether you have a good reason in other peoples eyes or not. Whether you want to talk or not, whether you want to express yourself in a way people like or not ( as long as it breaks no rules, or laws, which Lynch did NOT do no matter how the NFL wants to swing it, Lynch did something that wasn't against the rules, and they had to MAKE a new rule to cover it, or in this case, they used a vague rule to do so)....

Seems to me RD, that you are missing the POINT of freedom and liberty if you are going to chastise Lynch for doing exactly what those people sacrificed to create.

( FYI according to Lynch's mother, her sister was extremely sick ( passed away recently from cancer) and Lynch skipped the visit to be with his family. At no point IMHO should a visit to the WH, or a media glad handing back slapping event, ever be placed in front of family. Like the man said, he cares about the people he faces at home, the ones who love him)

I'm not 'chastising' Lynch. What he is doing is not against the law. He is free to express his opinion, and if he wants to thumb his nose at the POTUS, then he certainly has a right to do so, a right which I'll risk my life to defend.

But his freedom to do so wasn't the point. I'm talking about role models, how we want our sons and daughters to grow up, our personal opinions, our 'favorite' Seahawks. Lynch is a great player and I desperately want him on my team, but I do not respect him as an individual and as a citizen nearly as much as I do someone like Russell Wilson.

And yes, I heard about Lynch's excuse for snubbing the Prez, and all I can say is that if it were my family, they'd be extremely discouraged if I skipped the event for almost any reason short of a lifetime event. An unacceptable excuse if you ask me.

I find it interesting how some of us were so put off by Colin Kaepernick and his refusal to take off his headphones in an interview, yet when it comes to some of Lynch's antics, we'll make up excuses for him that are as lame as my dog ate my homework.

[Tepet]

I agree with RD, though I have never voted for a republican since I started voting in 72.

[kalibane]

Lynch is one of those guys that people will take issue with now because he marches to the beat of his own entire rhythm section but he will be beloved when he retires not just by Seahawk fans but by NFL fans period because he was "colorful".

Seriously think about it aside from the people who he's touched personally, who is Shaun Alexander beloved by? On the other hand, people were saying the same kinds of things about Deion Sanders (only Deion was selfish for seeking the microphones while Lynch is selfish for hiding from them)... Now Deion is basically football royalty. Lynch's persona and the way he runs will make him mythical. I also predict that if he continues to play the way he has for the last few years you'll see the same thing with Richard Sherman. People will pick him over because they disagree with individual things he does now, but once he retires and inevitably moves on to a studio show he will be celebrated for being an individual.

As much as we say we want our sports heroes to be role models and behave with decorum, the colorful guys who cut their own path always tend to shine brighter at the end.

[HumanCockroach]

I do indeed find it interesting that some are so put off by Kaepernicks head phone thing, though I would venture a guess that most of those posters who are put off by it, are the same ones insisting that Lynch should forgo being with family in that instance to visit the WH ( you can claim it is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" RD, but is it? Seattle was 36" from going back this year as I recall, and I DO know a terminal illness is INDEED a "once in a lifetime" event.) It's unfortunate IMO that you place an office over the health of your family, or just your family in general, but that is your right and I respect it fully. Just like I respect Lynch's right to live, and prioritize his life however he deems appropriate.

Lynch isn't supposed to be a kids role model, that falls on the parents shoulders, however, with the exception of two instances in the last 3 years, I don't see ANYTHING that is a problem in that regrd. He doesn't talk to the media? True, but he also isn't b*tching publicly, or whining about things players make a habit of doing in the public, he also isn't doing a thing wrong in that regard. He grabbed his crotch two whole times? Dear lord, save the children. I don't remember were you upset or outraged when the NFL put Jackson on that SB stage, and he did so 34 times? How about this year when the half time show consisted of pop songs about having underage sex, or kissing a girl and liking it, or just plain getting busy??? I didn't hear a public outcry about the "obscenity" of that, what about the kids watching that??? An NFL ENDROSED half time show, singing about sex, and making bad choices, but I'm supposed to get worked up about a 2 second grab an athlete makes during the course of a football game? You have got to be kidding.

Ultimately Lynch is a private person that spends his time helping his community, and being around those he loves, just don't see that as a poor role model, not sure why other people do, but all I can come up with, is they don't like the way he looks, or speaks ( ie he is from the hood, and sounds like it, and looks like it) it certainly isn't based solely on his actions on the field, or the community.

[THX-1138]

And to add to HCR's posts, in some very real ways I DO hold Lynch up to my kids as an example, and a good one at that.
I've taught my kids a lot of things, one of them being, "Don't take s*** from nobody." The NFL would seem to dearly love it if Marshawn would fit into their nice little box. Ridiculous fines based on the most banal of infractions. That crotch grab, to me, is directed squarely at Goodell and his band of doofuses (doofi?). Don't take their crap. Peaceful protest. BTW, is it true that the NFL was selling framed pictures that had one which featured ML doing his back-flying crotch grab? I read it somewhere and couldn't believe the hypcrisy; fining a guy for doing something that you are making money from the image.

[kalibane]

not sure why other people do, but all I can come up with, is they don't like the way he looks, or speaks ( ie he is from the hood, and sounds like it, and looks like it)

More than that he doesn't seek to distance himself from it and doesn't apologize for it. I think that's what really bothers some people. A lot of people think when you're from the hood and find success that you're supposed to run from it and decry everything about it.

I'm fine with Lynch. I would have liked to see him go to the White House, I think the crotch grabbing is juvenile but all that comes in the package. And even though I wasn't one of the people on the Lynch bandwagon when he was first brought here, I enjoy him in his totality way more than I enjoyed Shaun Alexander or Ricky Watters or Chris Warren.

He's not hurting anyone and he does more good for other people for the sake of doing good (as opposed to for the PR and a tax write off) than most NFL players do. I'm happy he's a Seahawk.

[c_hawkbob]

Hope Lynch stays but if he retires, I understand too.

I'm ecstatic if he stays.

I'm appreciative and totally understanding if he retires.

I'm equally appreciative and understanding if he wants to leave Seattle and go play in his home town for a year or two before he retires.

I'll be butthurt but accepting if he forces his way out to try and play for an anonymous "highest bidder".

Quite frankly he's earned the right to do whatever the hell he wants to do. If he asks for his release and we give it to him I'll just salute him on his way out.

[RiverDog]

I do indeed find it interesting that some are so put off by Kaepernicks head phone thing, though I would venture a guess that most of those posters who are put off by it, are the same ones insisting that Lynch should forgo being with family in that instance to visit the WH ( you can claim it is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" RD, but is it? Seattle was 36" from going back this year as I recall, and I DO know a terminal illness is INDEED a "once in a lifetime" event.) It's unfortunate IMO that you place an office over the health of your family, or just your family in general, but that is your right and I respect it fully. Just like I respect Lynch's right to live, and prioritize his life however he deems appropriate.

Lynch isn't supposed to be a kids role model, that falls on the parents shoulders, however, with the exception of two instances in the last 3 years, I don't see ANYTHING that is a problem in that regrd. He doesn't talk to the media? True, but he also isn't b*tching publicly, or whining about things players make a habit of doing in the public, he also isn't doing a thing wrong in that regard. He grabbed his crotch two whole times? Dear lord, save the children. I don't remember were you upset or outraged when the NFL put Jackson on that SB stage, and he did so 34 times? How about this year when the half time show consisted of pop songs about having underage sex, or kissing a girl and liking it, or just plain getting busy??? I didn't hear a public outcry about the "obscenity" of that, what about the kids watching that??? An NFL ENDROSED half time show, singing about sex, and making bad choices, but I'm supposed to get worked up about a 2 second grab an athlete makes during the course of a football game? You have got to be kidding.

Ultimately Lynch is a private person that spends his time helping his community, and being around those he loves, just don't see that as a poor role model, not sure why other people do, but all I can come up with, is they don't like the way he looks, or speaks ( ie he is from the hood, and sounds like it, and looks like it) it certainly isn't based solely on his actions on the field, or the community.

Not talking to the media is absolutely no problem with me, and I fully understand why the league mandates that their players make themselves available for interviews. What I objected to was the size of the fines. If he doesn't want to talk to the media, fine. Slap him $5K each time he ditches them and leave it at that. It's this progressive fines, trying to force Lynch to say uncle that I don't like the league doing.

I do think that players have an obligation to be role models. I agree that parents should be their own role models for their kids..mine certainly were for me..but some kids don't have parents, or have both parents, or parents that are dysfunctional and are not any kind of a role model. Professional athletes draw their pay from the adoring public, and as such, it comes with an obligation. Just my opinion.

Oh, and I never said that the trip to see the Prez was a once in a lifetime event. Hopefully Lynch will get a second opportunity next season.

[HumanCockroach]

And yes, I heard about Lynch's excuse for snubbing the Prez, and all I can say is that if it were my family, they'd be extremely discouraged if I skipped the event for almost any reason short of a lifetime event. An unacceptable excuse if you ask me.

I find it interesting how some of us were so put off by Colin Kaepernick and his refusal to take off his headphones in an interview, yet when it comes to some of Lynch's antics, we'll make up excuses for him that are as lame as my dog ate my homework

Um, so in your book finding out your Aunt is dying isn't a "once in a life time event"? You can feel it's a lame excuse ( I don't happen to agree) but ultimately, that isn't your or my place to say so, is it?

As for Kaepernick, I never joined in on the head phones issue, I could care much less about appearance or impressions, gues I just have a habit of giving people the chance to show me if they have substance. I absolutely hate, false bravado, and phonies, I absolutely hate hearing platitudes, and cliches, I would much rather hear and see someone real, and true to who they are than all of the fake phony garbage that guys like Brady, or Romo throw at the media, which is a big reason I find myself more involved with this team, than I was pretty much ever before in my life. Lynch may not be your cup of tea, but he is real, and is who he is. I can live with that. I don't hold a huge amount of respect for fake kissasses that move forward in life because of it.

Mr. Kaepernick, I suppose could be different ( as he grew up in a middle class home, neighborhood etc) but I still could care less how he chooses to present himself. I'll leave that to others to do, who tend to think everyone should dress, look and talk the same. Just isn't my bag.

[NorthHawk]

The QB is often the face of the franchise and is usually one of, if not the main spokesman for the Offense.
The rest of the players, not so much so more attention to Kaep will naturally happen and more attention to his demeanor or dress will be noted than on other players. It comes with being a QB.

[RiverDog]

Um, so in your book finding out your Aunt is dying isn't a "once in a life time event"? You can feel it's a lame excuse ( I don't happen to agree) but ultimately, that isn't your or my place to say so, is it?

As for Kaepernick, I never joined in on the head phones issue, I could care much less about appearance or impressions, gues I just have a habit of giving people the chance to show me if they have substance. I absolutely hate, false bravado, and phonies, I absolutely hate hearing platitudes, and cliches, I would much rather hear and see someone real, and true to who they are than all of the fake phony garbage that guys like Brady, or Romo throw at the media, which is a big reason I find myself more involved with this team, than I was pretty much ever before in my life. Lynch may not be your cup of tea, but he is real, and is who he is. I can live with that. I don't hold a huge amount of respect for fake kissasses that move forward in life because of it.

Mr. Kaepernick, I suppose could be different ( as he grew up in a middle class home, neighborhood etc) but I still could care less how he chooses to present himself. I'll leave that to others to do, who tend to think everyone should dress, look and talk the same. Just isn't my bag.

If they were on a death watch and they'd given her just hours to live, then yes, that's obviously a lifetime event. But that's not how I understood the situation. Mamma Lynch is quoted as saying "he just didn't want to go." The sick aunt is one of the oldest, lamest excuses in the world. It sounds like an 8th grader's excuse for skipping class, and I ain't buying it.

http://www.si.com/si-wire/2014/05/22/se ... e-absence#

But I tell you what: Let's give Beast the benefit of the doubt and assume for a minute that Auntie Beast was on her death bed. Would it not have been appropriate for Lynch to make a brief statement in advance apologizing for his absence or at the very least, take a few seconds to send out a tweet or send a text to Pete, Mike Rob, or someone else connected with the team and extend to them some common courtesy and explain his absence? As it was, it looked bad because at the time, no one knew why he wasn't there. It was only after the fact that we heard about his excuse, and it didn't even come from him. He stood up the Prez with no explanation other than a second hand damage control afterthought as to why he couldn't take two days away from his family to be with his second family in one of their biggest non football moment of their collective lives. Obama is our first black POTUS. You'd think that fact alone would be enough to motivate him to at least tip his hat to him.

Sorry, HC, you can put lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig. He should have been there.

As far as anyone not going to the WH for political reasons, I'll call them out as well. And I called out Kaepernick on the headphone issue. He's getting paid in part to be the face of the franchise, and if they want him to take off those silly headphones for a five minute interview, then I think that is a very reasonable request. As North said, it comes with the territory of being an NFL quarterback, and it's not like they're asking him to put on a shirt and a tie. I'm not accusing anyone in current company of being hypocritical, but I do know that there were one helluva lot of 12's that were lambasting Kaepernick yet are aggressively defending Lynch's antics.

[kalibane]

Small distinction here. I don't think a ton of people defending Lynch right now were terribly concerned with Kaep's headphones or the way he dressed post game. I count myself among that group.

That being said given a choice I would rather have my QB dress like Wilson or Manning for post game stuff. At the same time it's not my choice and ultimately it's a small issue that doesn't really matter all that much.

My issue with Kaep has always been his demeanor in post game press conferences, namely the stark difference in his willingness to engage after a loss compared to after a win and his inability to ever give credit to a team that beats him. I'd rather him be like Lynch and just not talk to the media than behave like a spoiled child.

[mykc14]

Small distinction here. I don't think a ton of people defending Lynch right now were terribly concerned with Kaep's headphones or the way he dressed post game. I count myself among that group.

That being said given a choice I would rather have my QB dress like Wilson or Manning for post game stuff. At the same time it's not my choice and ultimately it's a small issue that doesn't really matter all that much.

My issue with Kaep has always been his demeanor in post game press conferences, namely the stark difference in his willingness to engage after a loss compared to after a win and his inability to ever give credit to a team that beats him. I'd rather him be like Lynch and just not talk to the media than behave like a spoiled child.

I don't really care that much about this either, but I will say there is a major difference between worry about what Kaep is doing and worrying about what Lynch is doing. I don't like Kaep's overall 'persona' in his post-game pressers. The headphones, dress, and demeanor are all aspects of it (although I don't really care that much it just rubs me the wrong way) and the ONLY reason I feel that way is because he is their QB. If Frank Gore acted like that I wouldn't care at all. IMO, right or wrong, there is a huge difference between your RB acting like that and your QB. In the same way it would be unacceptable, IMO, if RW acted like Lynch. Refusing to talk to the media, grabbing his crotch, or not going to the POTUS (unless there were some life or death reason) as it is I don't really care that Lynch didn't do it but the QB HAS to. That's all to say, IMO, the responsibility of a RB and QB are different so it isn't really a good comparison.

[RiverDog]

I don't really care that much about this either, but I will say there is a major difference between worry about what Kaep is doing and worrying about what Lynch is doing. I don't like Kaep's overall 'persona' in his post-game pressers. The headphones, dress, and demeanor are all aspects of it (although I don't really care that much it just rubs me the wrong way) and the ONLY reason I feel that way is because he is their QB. If Frank Gore acted like that I wouldn't care at all. IMO, right or wrong, there is a huge difference between your RB acting like that and your QB. In the same way it would be unacceptable, IMO, if RW acted like Lynch. Refusing to talk to the media, grabbing his crotch, or not going to the POTUS (unless there were some life or death reason) as it is I don't really care that Lynch didn't do it but the QB HAS to. That's all to say, IMO, the responsibility of a RB and QB are different so it isn't really a good comparison.

You have a good point, and I will agree that it's more important for the starting QB to be politically correct than it is for other players and that the Kapernick comparison may not be relevant.

Nevertheless, it is STILL important for all players as citizens of this country to show just a tiny bit of respect for the POTUS. I'm not even saying that he has to go, but to at least call and tell someone something like thanks for the invitation and no disrespect intended but that he won't be there rather than just blowing him off like he did. He doesn't even have to give a reason IMO. Is that too much to ask?

[HumanCockroach]

Sorry RD, they had just found out, and he wanted to be with his family. I don't care if his sister had a cancerous cist being removed and wanted to be there when she came home. Family obviously in his world is more important than a made up ceremony to acknowledge his acomplishments. It isn't for you or I to say a man SHOULD be somewhere, because we aren't him. Period. You can attempt to put that lipstick on your pig all you want, but that IS what "freedom" is, whether you want to or not. Lynch had no responsibility to be somewhere he didn't want to be, regardless of the situation.

As for a "statement" you are f*$@ing kidding right? You think Lynch, was going to contact the media and issue a "statement"? Seriously? LMFAO. Lynch doesn't owe a single person an "excuse" for not doing something that YOU want him to do. That is NOT how "freedom" works. He isn't our kid, he isn't someone we control, and he isn't some sort of employee that needs an excuse to not attend something that is not required.

Your statements in this regard, are simply wrong. The man can live, do and act however he wants as long as it does not break the law. You have zero idea how important his Aunt was to him, or his mother, or his family. Whether you deem it a "lame excuse" or not doesn't mean anything. To anyone but you, and you alone.

I know if my family was going through something life altering, I would have skipped it as well, and never had a second thought about it. According to what you have posted, only the death of someone you love is a "good excuse" to avoid going to the WH, so what good would it have been to "make a statement"? And the idea that Lynch was going to express what he was going through, to the media ( or anyone else for that matter) is beyond dumb, considering what we know about Lynch's privacy issues.

[RiverDog]

Sorry RD, they had just found out, and he wanted to be with his family. I don't care if his sister had a cancerous cist being removed and wanted to be there when she came home. Family obviously in his world is more important than a made up ceremony to acknowledge his acomplishments. It isn't for you or I to say a man SHOULD be somewhere, because we aren't him. Period. You can attempt to put that lipstick on your pig all you want, but that IS what "freedom" is, whether you want to or not. Lynch had no responsibility to be somewhere he didn't want to be, regardless of the situation.

As for a "statement" you are f*$@ing kidding right? You think Lynch, was going to contact the media and issue a "statement"? Seriously? LMFAO. Lynch doesn't owe a single person an "excuse" for not doing something that YOU want him to do. That is NOT how "freedom" works. He isn't our kid, he isn't someone we control, and he isn't some sort of employee that needs an excuse to not attend something that is not required.

Your statements in this regard, are simply wrong. The man can live, do and act however he wants as long as it does not break the law. You have zero idea how important his Aunt was to him, or his mother, or his family. Whether you deem it a "lame excuse" or not doesn't mean anything. To anyone but you, and you alone.

I know if my family was going through something life altering, I would have skipped it as well, and never had a second thought about it. According to what you have posted, only the death of someone you love is a "good excuse" to avoid going to the WH, so what good would it have been to "make a statement"? And the idea that Lynch was going to express what he was going through, to the media ( or anyone else for that matter) is beyond dumb, considering what we know about Lynch's privacy issues.

OK, perhaps a statement is too much to ask of Lynch. Perhaps a note from his mother would be more fitting.

[HumanCockroach]

Ok. I just don't feel like another man owes me an explanation for not being somewhere that is optional, I don't expect it from you, or Lynch. He doesn't owe me anything other than what is provided in his "job" between the lines, and a visit to the WH IMHO ranks somewhere along the lines of not showing for a going away party for some boss, you have never met, at some bar, you have never been too.

The President ( and GOVT for that matter) are OUR employees, and the President while, an improtant employee, isn't more important in my book, than anyone else. He works for Lynch, you, me and anyone else paying taxes, and so I don't place more importance than is do, in his job title. If Lynch was blowing off Veterans of the military, I might ( though probably not, as I strongly believe in living ones life the way one deems fit) but that isn't what he did. The President didn't "sacrifice" a whole hell of a lot, to give us the liberties we enjoy, those are our sons and daughters that the president sends to die over oil costs, or political differences, and as such, I do not credit that office higher than those that actually make that sacrifice, nor will I ever do so.

[Futureite]

Maybe I am in the minority, but I like the guy. He plays hard, undoubtedly practices hard, and despite his past legal transgressions, he seems like a genuine person to me. This is of course based upon the little I see of him on TV, but I like the fact that he is "real" without offending people in the manner society now appears to respect or recognize as "real". Similar to Ricky Williams, I think he may have social anxiety. I use to watch the "Real Rob" reports, and he appeared to be very shy even around his own teammates.

Whatever the case he is a great player. I've never bought into the "age" argument (as many of you remember), so I believe he's got 3 or 4 very productive years left, should he choose to continue playing. So, I hope he retires:).

[monkey]

He also ignored the POTUS.

No one knows why he didn't go, but I have to wonder, why should it matter that he didn't?
(Personally I wouldn't go shake hands with that man, if I were paid to.)
I don't get why it should matter though. If he had something better to do, so be it.

[Uppercut]

http://national.suntimes.com/nfl/7/72/635868/marshawn-lynch-oakland-raidershttp:/national.suntimes.com/nfl/7/72/635868/marshawn-lynch-oakland-raiders

[Seahawks4Ever]

The only thing I don't like about Lynch is the grabbing of his balls. I know it is his way of telling the league F.U. but it is childish and quite beneath him.

That said, however, long before Lynch M. Jackson was grabbing his balls and long before him Mick Jagger has been grabbing his own balls since the early 1960's and I have NEVER heard anyone telling Jagger that he shouldn't be grabbing his own balls.
P.S. It is now almost comical that Jagger, pushing 80 years of age is still singing "I can't get no satisfaction". Hey Mick! Have you tried Viagra? A penile implant?? Or, how about that suction tube that you stick your "thingy" into in order to get it hard???

[c_hawkbob]

The only thing I don't like about Lynch is the grabbing of his balls.

Better than him grabbing your balls.