Marshawn Lynch emerged as some sort of folk hero this week after his anti-media stance in the lead-up to this weekend's Super Bowl. After months of staunchly refusing to answer reporters' questions, the Seattle Seahawks running back has the internet going nuts. It seems like there's no way to not have an opinion on his one-liners; to some, he's an overpaid, unprofessional thug—a decidedly racist characterization. To others, he's a lionheart, a metaphorical middle finger to the NFL as a capitalist institution representative of broader oppressive structures.
But amid the insults and hyperbolic displays of support, Marshawn Lynch just wants to be free to play football without the mockery of a condescending press corps and fan base. Real talk: you'll learn much more about him from watching him play Mortal Kombat X with the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski and Conan O'Brien on last night's episode of Conan than you will from any sports reporter. It's very endearing, and even a little Chance-y?
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