Most memorable moments from Marshawn Lynch’s career
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch hinted at his plans to retire by tweeting a photo of his cleats hanging up accompanied by a peace-sign emoji on Sunday night.
Lynch, 29, was selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. He spent three full seasons with the Bills before joining the Seahawks through a mid-season trade in 2010.
The running back carried the ball for more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons for the Seahawks, but hamstring and abdominal injuries limited him to just 111 carries for 417 yards this past season.
As Lynch's career comes to a possible close, check out some of Lynch’s most memorable moments below.
Beast Quake
With the Seahawks leading the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints, during the 2010 NFC Wild Card game, Lynch had his most memorable run of his career. The running back went into full “beast mode,” running 67-yards for a touchdown. The play went on to be known as “Beast Quake” because excited Seahawks fans jumping up and down literally made the ground shake.
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDOBejlx7Us]
“I'm just here so I won’t get fined”
Perhaps one of the best Lynch moments came during Media Day for Super Bowl XLIX. The running back faced a $500,000 fine from the league if he did not make himself available to the media. Lynch took his turn at the podium, but answered every single question with some variation of the phrase “I'm just here so I won’t get fined.” He even trademarked his signature answer.
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmABbHSOTqQ]
Super Bowl XLVIII
Lynch earned a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks, scoring one touchdown to help his team defeat the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. For Lynch, there was only one way to celebrate: dancing in the locker room. (Note: Video contains explicit language.)
Lynch finished the 2013 season with 1,257 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Beast mode is born
Back when Lynch was a 2007 NFL draft prospect, he coined his beast mode moniker. When asked how he would define his attitude he responded with the two words that would follow him throughout his NFL career.
Beast Quake 2.0
During a 2014 Sunday night game against the Cardinals, Lynch recorded the longest touchdown of his career. Lynch went into beast most once again, breaking through several defenders to run 79 yards for a score.
“Yeah”
Super Bowl XLIX Media Day was not the only time Lynch answered questions from the press in his own style. Following the Seahawks' victory over the Cardinals on Nov. 23, 2014, Lynch answered every post-game question with a single word: “Yeah.”
Just takin’ it for a spin
Lynch rushed for 3,230 yards and 29 touchdowns during his time at the University of California. Not only did Lynch have an excellent collegiate career, he is also know for this moment when he drove around the field on a trainer’s cart following Cal’s win against the University of Washington.
Skittles
If there is one thing Lynch is known for outside of his tremendous running ability, it’s his love of Skittles. Lynch, who was once fined for wearing Skittles cleats on the field, kept a package of the candy on the sidelines to eat after touchdowns. He even filmed a Skittles infomercial.
Retirement
A pair of cleats hung over an electrical wire was all Lynch needed to announce the end of his career. In true Marshawn Lynch fashion, he went on out his own terms, announcing his retirement during Super Bowl 50.
