Marshawn Lynch's unwillingness to speak with reporters and disregard for the game's sportsmanship rules has won him few fans among the media and in the league office. Now even his peers are criticizing his petulant off-field behavior.
Larry Foote: Marshawn Lynch ‘sending wrong message’ to kids
The Cardinals linebacker strongly criticized Lynch during a radio interview on Monday.
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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Larry Foote voiced his opinion on the enigmatic Seattle Seahawks running back, telling a Pittsburgh radio station Monday that he thought Lynch was sending the wrong message to children.
“He always mentions his foundation and what he likes to do for the city of Oakland,” Foote said in an interview with 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. “I’m from the same type of urban environment that he’s from. The biggest message he’s giving these kids, he might not want to admit it, is ‘The hell with authority. I don’t care, fine me. I’m gonna grab my crotch. I’m gonna do it my way.’”
Foote added that Lynch is hurting the kids with his standoffish image and disrespect for authority because the real world doesn’t operate like the NFL. Lynch’s behavior is tolerated by fans and teammates because he’s one of the best running backs in the league and a valuable part of the Seahawks’ offense. However, that’s hardly true for anybody outside of pro sports and in far less glamorous jobs.
Foote, who played 11 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with Arizona last summer, cited newly elected Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis as an example of a player who sent the right message to kids. Bettis ranks sixth on the all-time rushing yardage list, and is widely known for his extensive charitable endeavors. His The Bus Stops Here Foundation is dedicated to helping improve the lives of inner-city youth in the Detroit and Pittsburgh areas.
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