Media Doesn't Get Why Marshawn Lynch Won't Speak

Sometimes you wonder if television reportage is made up of people so smart that their brain power blinds all their common senses.  One of the greatest running backs in the NFL today hasn't been comfortable talking with the sports media since he came into the league in 2007.  He is the ultimate example of letting his play on the field do the talking for him. When asked the same questions over and over by the media he gives little if no answer and yet remains polite and courteous as they continue not to "Get It."

As much as I dislike the saying "I get that," I must use it here to describe the actions of Marshawn when put in front of a camera; "I totally get it."

Marshawn is as distrustful of the media as any professional athlete in today's limelight should be.  He appears to be a private man being forced to engage in public speaking, and there's no mistaking his reluctance to be poked at, humiliated and or accused of being anything but a man.  Our media can get very upset when athletes choose not to play their game. They can get ugly, discourteous and even vindictive, leaving star athletes with nothing to hold onto except their Cojones when breaking news of less honorable, off field actions are discovered.

I salute Marshawn Lynch for not selling his soul and sacrificing hard earned dollars via fines in order to maintain his dignity and respect.  Maybe its a black and white cultural difference that keeps the media from "Getting It."  A brotha knows when to back off from a brotha, ya feel me?

You only need look at who's asking the questions and how, to understand that they're not friends of Marshawn. They're not there to uplift his career without him giving something juicy in exchange. Media would rather be the first to report a negative story about him than write anything resembling a feel good story, because negativity sells and they're in the business of selling; all of them.

The suspensions, fines and firings of NFL athletes is always a hot item for media to report on.  It can launch a reporter's career.  Most young athletes don't seem to understand just how quickly media can turn on them once they've made a mistake or ruffled some media feathers. Many athletes love to shine in front of the cameras when things are good, but will shove a cameraman in the face when approached by reporters outside the courtroom trying to get an exclusive interview with the now accused.  Media sees it as just a game, a no holds barred game that pays them well if they deliver the goods at the expense of star athletes .  Athletes should see it as a life-threatening curse and wise up. Then clam up and pay the league fine for stiff-arming the media.  

Few if any sports reporters put their careers on the line when they ask questions during interviews. None are risking the amount of monies the professional athletes they interview are risking.  Make one mistake, one misstep in how you answer what could be a loaded question from an interviewer and the entire world gets to see a fool and his money parted. And worse, he has to explain it to is family.

I'm pretty sure that Marshawn was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth.  He's in the prime of his earning potential as a NFL player and may not have college degrees and such to fall back on should that career be shortened by injury or scandal.  So please media, let the man leave all his talking on the field and stop trying so desperately to squeeze a comment out of him.  For once try to "Get It."  

Marshawn Lynch is a man first and foremost. Whatever obligations and commitments to the media written into his contract were probably done with the understanding of monetary punishment if he should not fulfill that obligation. He has chosen the punishment over public speaking, keeping his Cojones intact.  He'll continue to pay fines imposed by the league for not talking to the media.  And Lord willing he'll someday retire with his dignity, personal life, peace of mind and hard earned income all safe from what has become to be seen as public lynchings of sports figures in the media. 

Right On Marshawn! Never let Go!