Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch showed that his disinterest in being interviewed about the Super Bowl was not a one-day thing.
Lynch again lasted less than seven minutes during a mandatory Super Bowl media session, climbing over chairs to get away from reporters Wednesday morning at the Seahawks’ hotel.
One day earlier, during media day at the Prudential Center in Newark, Lynch answered questions for six and a half minutes before gravitating toward the back of the fenced-off interview area. The star running back spent the rest of the Seahawks’ availability that way, his eyes hidden by sunglasses and his head covered by the hood to his sweatshirt.
It was a slightly different story Wednesday, as Lynch was sporting headphones and the sunglasses were absent — making it easier to see how uncomfortable he is with the entire process.
“I appreciate it,” Lynch said of the media’s presence and desire to speak with him. “But I just don’t get it.
“I’m just here so I don’t get fined.”
This isn’t unique to the postseason. Lynch didn’t speak with reporters during the regular season and nearly drew a $50,000 fine as the Seahawks prepared for their divisional-round playoff game.
Lynch lasted six minutes, 47 seconds on Wednesday, climbing over chairs to exit because he was blocked in by fellow running backs Robert Turbin and Michael Robinson, who were sitting next to him at a table during an interview session conducted in cramped quarters.
Robinson was first to arrive, even calling Lynch, his good friend, to try to lure him to the interview table.
“He didn’t answer,” Robinson said. “He know what I’m calling for.”
Lynch was next to arrive, sitting in the middle chair. After a few brief replies from Lynch, Robinson began answering questions for his friend — using the running back’s “Boss” figure of speech to end each sentence.
When Turbin arrived a few minutes later, Lynch reacted in an agitated fashion.
“Why you wanna block me in, brother?” Lynch asked Turbin.
Lynch created a stir Tuesday at media day, although the NFL indicated that he might not be fined.
“Players are required to participate and he participated,” league spokesman Greg Aiello told ESPN.com.
The Pro Football Writers of America, however, was not satisfied with Lynch’s actions Tuesday.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, the PFWA said it is “extremely disappointed in the lack of meaningful access” that Lynch gave reporters during Tuesday’s session.
“Several of our long-standing and high-profile members were appalled by Mr. Lynch’s conduct and refusal to answer any questions,” the PFWA said in the statement. “We find the statement that by the league that ‘Players are required to participate and he participated’ to be an affront to our membership.
“However, we are encouraged that the league will continue to closely monitor this situation.”
