Marshawn Lynch: The One and Only “Beast Mode”

Early this morning it was announced that Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch will be retiring from the National Football League. This is the second time that Lynch, 33, has retired, in the past three years. If this retirement is for good, Lynch finishes his 11-year-career with over 10,000 rushing yards and 93 total touchdowns.

Seeing Lynch walk away is a sad sight. During his prime years he was one of the most fun, explosive players in the entire NFL. Granted that was nearly five years ago, but Lynch’s performance during his time with the Seattle Seahawks was unreal. In four full seasons with Seattle, Lynch averaged over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns a season.

Lynch did also suit up with the Buffalo Bills and aforementioned Raiders, but he will be remembered as the beast in Seattle that ate Skittles on the bench. Lynch was a fun character that could recognized be recognized by almost every NFL fan. It is sad to see “Beast Mode” go, but it looked like it was time. No one wants to see him coast through another season with a terrible Oakland team.

Lynch provided fans of the NFL with plenty of soundbites and highlights. Lynch’s playoff run (“Beast Quake”) against the New Orleans Saints will go down as one of the best runs in NFL history. So here is to Marshawn Lynch: one of the most bad-ass players to strap a helmet on.

-Jarrod Ribaudo (@Jribs53)