NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch: Meeting with media ‘part of the job’


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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said no decision has been made regarding a fine for Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch’s media interactions this week.

Roger Goodell Super Bowl XLIX press conference

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to reporters at his pre-Super Bowl XLIX press conference Friday in Phoenix. (Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com)

Speaking at his annual Super Bowl press conference, Goodell said Friday that he didn’t know whether Lynch would face discipline from the league for not answering reporters’ questions and wearing a “Beast Mode” hat in the lead up to Super Bowl XLIX, saying a decision would be made after the game. But Goodell acknowledged that he believed Lynch had an obligation to speak to the fans through the media.

“When you’re in the NFL you have an obligation to the fans,” Goodell said. “It’s part of your job.”

The commissioner said he knew Lynch didn’t exactly enjoy having to answer media questions, but Goodell didn’t budge off of the league’s policy of requiring players to speak with reporters. It comes with the territory of being an NFL player, he said.

“You have an obligation,” Goodell said. “I understand it may not be on the top of (Lynch’s) list, but everyone else is cooperating.”


Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports reporter Stephen Cohen at stephencohen@seattlepi.com or @scohenPI.

Stephen Cohen