Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch's preference for not speaking to the media is well known, and his "silence has come at a great cost" financially, but it has also "made him the most popular running back in the NFL," according to Mina Kimes of ESPN THE MAGAZINE. At a time when the league is "enmeshed in a potential cheating scandal, and while the stench of Ray Rice's, Adrian Peterson's and Greg Hardy's rotten deeds still lingers over the game, Lynch's actions seem comically trivial." As a result, his punishments "feel arbitrary, and his critics sound crotchety and out of touch." Baker Street Advertising Senior VP & Exec Creative Dir Bob Dorfman said, "Every time the NFL fines him, he becomes more sympathetic to fans. They tend to take his side." Kimes writes some fans are "probably offended by Lynch's antics," but most "don't care." Kimes: "The less he speaks, the more people talk about him. This phenomenon, coupled with his incredible performance on the field, has catapulted his star." His "growing popularity -- and his distinctive character -- make him a compelling fit for quirkier, edgier companies." He currently has endorseement deals with Vita Coco, Monster headphones and Skittles" (ESPN THE MAGAZINE, 2/16 issue). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Lynch "stopped talking to the media," and "suddenly he became interesting." He is now "a huge star" and he has become "sympathetic even when his signature on-field celebration is a profane gesture." Lynch has "turned it into a money maker, the guy who wouldn't talk being paid to talk." The Skittles video that was released Monday and makes light of his preference to avoid the media is "just one of Lynch's commercials." There is "no question that part of this comes from his BeastMode running ability" and the Seahawks' Super Bowl win last year. There also is "no question that his refusal to answer questions -- or answering them seriously -- has aided in his fame and popularity" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/27).
MONEY TALKS: In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes Lynch "recently hammed it up for Internet commercials" for both Skittles and Progressive Insurance. He "smilingly answered questions while eating Skittles during a fake news conference," and he "actually jokes about" Progressive's fictional spokesperson. In the video, he says, "I'm all about that Flo' boss." Plaschke: "He was funny. He was charming. He was being paid." During yesterday's Super Bowl Media Day, when he was "asked to speak to reporters for free ... he gave the same answer 29 times and walked away" (L.A. TIMES, 1/28). NFL Network’s Heath Evans said he saw one of the Lynch videos and said it was "hysterical." Evans: "So he might be losing his stance that he doesn’t like talking.” NFL Network’s Amber Theoharis: “If you pay him enough” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 1/27). BLEACHER REPORT's Kyle Newport noted in the Progressive video, which includes ESPN's Kenny Mayne, Lynch "opens up a little more and shows off his expanded vocabulary." Newport: "For someone who doesn't like to talk much, he certainly has a way with words" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 1/27).
A TIRED ACT: In Tacoma, John McGrath writes Lynch "does not avoid attention," but he instead "craves it." He "made himself the story of his team’s triumphant visit to the White House by staying home," and he "made himself the story of the offseason by threatening to hold out." Lynch yesterday during Media Day "amused those who are easily amused, and outraged those who are easily outraged." McGrath: "I found it neither amusing nor outrageous, merely frustrating" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 1/28). ABC's Jimmy Kimmel during his monologue last night aired video of Lynch saying repeatedly, “I’m here so I won’t get fined” from Media Day. Kimmel said, “If I was the commissioner of the NFL, I would immediately fine him, right?” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 1/27).
