NFL Seattle Seahawks

NFL Would Miss Point Again By Fining Marshawn Lynch For Wearing Hat

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By @bradberreman24

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks, Beast Mode

Christian Petersen-Getty Images

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has made it clear why he is even showing up to media availability during Super Bowl week, but now he may have drawn attention for another reason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Lynch could face a significant fine for wearing a hat bearing his “Beast Mode” logo during media day on Tuesday, which he did again on Wednesday during his media session.

The NFL frowns on anyone promoting brands that aren’t approved by, or more precisely in business with, the league. While that is not wrong as a whole, the league’s startling ability to continue focusing on minor things is troublesome.

There is a bit of a precedent here, as Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for wearing a Vitaminwater hat during Super Bowl media time in 2007. Vitaminwater is produced by a subsidiary of Coke, and Pepsi is an official league sponsor, but a $100,000 fine for wearing the wrong hat is truly excessive.

Lynch’s situation is a bit different, since proceeds from sales of his “Beast Mode” apparel benefit his charity helping underprivileged kids. The hats he has been wearing are also manufactured by New Era, which is the official hat of the NFL.

Lynch clearly does not want to talk to the media at any time, and the spotlight on his non-answers has been even brighter this week. I don’t think he is acting very professionally by giving the same answer to every question, of course without knowing if he has issues that make him unable to function well in that setting, but the whole scene involving Lynch over the last two days has looked like an unfunny comedy routine.

Even though I feel Lynch should treat the assembled media with a bit more courtesy, now or during an idle regular season week, that does not mean he should be fined for wearing a hat bearing what has basically become his personal brand. Since November Lynch has been fined for not talking to the media and twice for crotch-grabbing during touchdown celebrations, so if nothing else he is showing that money is no object in the interest of self-expression.

Leaving aside the truly trivial nature of fining players for wearing the wrong hat, headphones, etc., it does not appear that Lynch benefits at all financially from selling “Beast Mode” apparel. Even if he did, taking more money out of his pocket would clearly accomplish nothing. But that can be said for a lot that has come from the NFL office in recent months.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter or Google +.

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