Why has Marshawn Lynch’s name been in the media so often lately? Part of the reasons is that the football sensation Seattle Seahawks have risen to a second Super Bowl in as many years. Lynch is a star on that squad, along with quarterback Russell Wilson, corner Richard Sherman, and many other intelligent Black folk who have shocked the league with their tenacious defense and offense, their gutsy and strategic play, and also with their wit.
Recently Seattle Seahawks superstar running back Marshawn Lynch showed that he could outsmart the white media during the Media Day press conference event for the Super Bowl. When asked questions from white media, Lynch responded: “I’m just here so I don’t get fined.” In other words, no comment. I plead the fifth.
The NFL has previously fined Marshawn Lynch thousand of dollars for not talking to the media, so on Media Day, he decided to show up to avoid the fine but not disclose any information about his thoughts on the game.
White media has gone into an utter frenzy over this comment.
Even Black members of white media partake in nonsense like harassing Marshawn Lynch for his choice to keep to himself and away from the media spotlight. They are some of the most vocal opponents of Marshawn Lynch—all because Lynch doesn’t want Smith and other media pundits to have his name in their mouths.
The most ludicrous response yet has come from Stephen A. Smith, the popular commentator on ESPN’s First Take, formerly a sports writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Smith said that not only should Marshawn Lynch be fined for not talking to the media, he should be fined 20 times, each time he refuses to share his thoughts. Really? 20 times? When did Stephen A. Smith become Samuel L. Jackson from Django Unchained?
For the record, let Stephen A. Smith and all the other Marshawn Lynch and Seattle Seahawk haters be reminded of one inalienable concept: that of freedom of speech.
As part of his citizenship to the United States, Marshawn Lynch is exercising his national rights. We often forget that freedom of speech is also the freedom to not speak, if that’s your prerogative.
In no way is a football player or any celebrity obligated to share his personal thoughts, aspirations, or his perspective to the media. If anything, we are privileged when we do get a chance to hear insight from a person whose opinion is deeply valued. We do not have the rights to a person’s thoughts. We are only privileged if they feel we are worthy to share their thoughts with us.
What’s more, the white media only wants Marshawn Lynch to partake in its festivities because of profit and control.
Let us not forget that historically and at present, whites have found immense pleasure exercising control over Black bodies.
During times of slavery, white America’s second great sin, whites regulated not only the sale of Black bodies, but also wanted to control when Black people ate, worked, and slept—not to mention who they slept with. Whites wanted to control whether Black people learned how to read and write.
This is no different from today when preposterous legislation and rulebooks only demonstrate the lingering attitude that whites continue to believe they should have domain over Black bodies.
In the NFL, unsportsmanlike conduct penalties arise, because whites want to control how Black people celebrate, when and if they touch their genitals, and perhaps for how long.
Just look across the landscape of sports to soccer, the world’s football. After goals, players celebrate at length. It’s only natural to dance, smile, and jeer when you’ve scored. But in the NFL, even the most creative jubilations like the Atlanta Falcons’ Dirty Bird dance, are exed out in the name of unsportsmanlike conduct.
What we have now is another situation of white rule makers desiring control over Black bodies. They want to control when Marshawn Lynch speaks and for how long. And they want to penalize him financially if he does not want to submit to their unruly and inhumane coercion.
Who profits the most off the backs of Black labor in the NFL and the NBA, in hip hop and the music industry? The Media Day event is not for athletes and fans; it is more money in the bank for networks and corporations.
Certainly there is nothing to gain personally or financially by engaging in dialogue with sports commentators, only something to lose. White media is only waiting for a player to slip up and say something unorthodox, so that it will have a sound bite to run on.
When there is blood in the water, the white media sharks will circle. Players and celebrities have little to gain from talking to the media. The only benefit for them is a minute possibility of increasing their publicity. But again this is a choice for them to make and not for audiences and the media to decide.
Another probable reason for this fuss about Lynch is that the white media spectacle is only a desperate attempt to conjure up some story about the Seattle Seahawks that counters the New England Patriots’ deflate-gate scandal. When the Patriots have a cheating scandal in their shadows, there is a need for white media to concoct a narrative that makes the Seahawks out to be the villains.
Hence, the focus on: “I’m just here, so I won’t get fined.”
It’s all they got. And it ain’t much.
If you are like Marshawn Lynch, a talented and hardworking player, your game speaks for itself. You don’t have to add any flamboyant words to punctuate it. Just watch the tape.
In a one-on-one interview with former NFL and MLB player Deion Sanders, Marshawn Lynch reiterated that talking at the podium to the press does nothing to improve his game, which is what football is all about for him.
Lynch describes his personality as “Laid back, kick back. Minding my own business, staying in my own lane.” He added: “I’m just ‘bout that action, boss. I ain’t never seen talking win nothing.”
This is a great article. I am tired of this media frenzy.
Good Lord, Stephen A Smith really jells with the Uncle Toms of our day. Thanks for enlightening this world once again Afiya X.
I love that necklace Marshawn Lynch is wearing. I love that African necklace – love it, love it.
It’s really funny that the NFL Cartel has propounded rulebooks that would make the friends at the Media Cartel rich buddies as well. Good! That is what America is – greats Cartels.
I continue to listen to the nonsense circling around white media, as you rightfully call it, about how a great stage has been prepared to make someone like Marshawn grace it. So Marshawn must thank the people who have prepared the stage? Who are these people who have prepared this stage? Who are they? White People? Why should Marshawn thank them Stephen A Smith – the biggest idiot white media discovered to shame us on TV?
The best sports article I have ever read. Thanks so much Afiya X.
This media frenzy and the NFL sycophants dancing around Marshawn Lynch fits so well in the narrative of white control of Black bodies. Thank you for bring this much needed analysis to the dialogue. Thank you!
Well argued here. Marshawn Lynch should be left alone.
It’s amazing that rather than talk about deflategate and shame the Belicheats, we are rather talking about a cool collected man in Marshawn Lynch. There is no excuse for this media hysteria really. No excuse, only this is another war they have waged against another innocent Black man who is just doing his job! Can they just leave him alone?
Stephen A. Smith is among the number of those that disapprove of Marshawn Lynch’s refusal to talk to the media, and voiced that on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday, citing the recurring arguments of ‘it’s in the contract’ and ‘everyone else has to answer questions.’
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, who’s also been known to give scant or repetitive answers time to time, was a guest on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday, and summarily destroyed Smith’s take on the situation.
If we’re all aware that we’re going to get the same platitudes, why do we need them from every player? Since when has ‘because everyone else does’ been a good enough answer for anything? And with Marshawn Lynch being as good at football and as intriguing as he is, why do we need him to talk to write about him?