Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch tweets apparent retirement announcement
Feb 7, 2016, 10:39 PM | Updated: Feb 8, 2016, 1:03 pm
Marshawn Lynch, who announced his retirement in January, is reportedly mulling a return to the NFL. (AP)
(AP)
BY
Editor, Seattle Sports
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch sent out a telling tweet during the Super Bowl, apparently announcing his retirement from the NFL.
— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) February 8, 2016
Though there has been no official confirmation from Lynch or the Seahawks, Lynch’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, confirmed his client’s plans to retire to The Associated Press on Monday. The Seahawks also produced a video thanking Lynch.
Related: Teammates react to apparent retirement of Lynch
The Seahawks first addressed Lynch’s tweet Sunday night on their own Twitter account, and owner Paul Allen also thanked the man known as Beast Mode for his contributions as a member of the team.
@Seahawks Thank you @MoneyLynch for a great career as a Seahawk. So many memorable runs and quakes! #BeastMode !
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) February 8, 2016
Lynch, 29, played nine seasons in the NFL, including the last five-plus with the Seahawks after being acquired in a midseason trade with Buffalo in 2010. With Seattle, he earned four Pro Bowl nominations (he also went to the Pro Bowl in 2008 as a Bill), was a first-team All-Pro in 2012, and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII.
He is 36th on the NFL’s all-time rushing leader list and twice led the league in rushing touchdowns.
Lynch’s announcement came on the same day that ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that Lynch told some close to him that he plans to retire.
Rumors of Lynch hanging up his cleats, something that had become a yearly tradition after each season in Seattle, started up again after the Seahawks’ postseason run ended in the NFC divisional playoffs against Carolina. Seattle general manager John Schneider said he was under the impression Lynch was leaning towards retirement on 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” in January.
With Lynch choosing to retire, the Seahawks will gain some considerable salary cap relief.
MyNorthwest.com digital content producer Eric Mandel contributed to this post.
