NFL puts Marshawn Lynch’s fine on hold
Jan 8, 2014, 5:22 PM | Updated: 5:23 pm
By Danny O’Neil
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
In the case of Marshawn Lynch, a few words turned out to be worth $50,000.
That’s how much the Seahawks running back was fined last week by the NFL, news that was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Lynch stated – via his Facebook page – he is no longer facing that fine.
Update: An NFL spokesman said Lynch’s fine was held in abeyance, meaning it was suspended after Lynch indicated he would comply with the league’s guidelines on media availability. If Lynch were to violate the policy, he would be subject to the original fine of $50,000 plus an additional $50,000.
Let’s all pause now for a slight chuckle at the fact that the NFL suspending its own arbitrary fine against one of its own employees for literally doing nothing is news.
But it is news because from September 2012 up through the end of 2013, Lynch had not agreed to interviews. He was always polite in doing so, never confrontational, and there were occasions he spoke. He was quoted by the NFL Network’s Michael Silver – who was then working for Yahoo.com – after Seattle defeated Green Bay on Monday night in Week 3 of 2012. Lynch was also quoted on the team’s official website earlier this season, speaking with Clare Farnsworth on one of the team’s off days.
Lynch answered questions on Friday in an impromptu press conference that lasted 90 seconds, and according to Lynch’s Facebook post, he is no longer facing that fine so long as he continues to answer questions from reporters.
Fans had started a drive to collect money to pay for Lynch’s fine, something forbidden by the league’s rules. Lynch indicated those donations would go to a charity, with Lynch matching all funds raised with his own donation.
