Marshawn Lynch has reportedly told some people in his inner circle that he's decided to call it a career and retire after nine NFL seasons, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, his teammates are trying to get him to change his mind, per Schefter. Peyton Manning and Calvin Johnson have also reportedly told others about their plans to step away from the field after this season.
Marshawn Lynch has reportedly told close friends he plans to retire
It’s been speculated for a year that Lynch will hang it up.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Lynch appears to have confirmed his retirement in an appropriately Lynch way -- with a not-so-cryptic tweet during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.
— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) February 8, 2016
Lynch, 29, started his career with the Buffalo Bills after he was selected with a first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. While he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons and scored 15 rushing touchdowns, Lynch had a disappointing 2009 season that featured a three-game suspension and an eventual benching in favor of Fred Jackson. Early in the 2010 season, Lynch was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he found a fresh jolt for his career.
In his first season in Seattle, Lynch had underwhelming regular season stats but became an instant fan favorite with his "Beast Quake" run in the postseason to help the team upset the New Orleans Saints. In the next four years he was a dominant force for the Seahawks, racking up at least 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in each year, and another nine touchdowns in the postseason.
If this was his final season with the Seahawks, it wasn't a very memorable exit. The team got off to a slow start and Lynch eventually required hernia surgery, which kept him out until the Divisional round of the playoffs. His return yielded just 20 rushing yards on six attempts against the Carolina Panthers and that proved to be the last time Lynch would take an NFL carry.
If Lynch is indeed retiring, he’ll do so with 9,112 rushing yards (36th all-time) and 74 rushing touchdowns (24th all-time), but will be best remembered for his postseason runs and his personality off the field. He often drew the ire of media for his refusal to speak or cooperate during media obligations, but also had a quirky personality complete with a love for Skittles and velvet ropes to park his Lamborghini.
SB Nation presents: Relive one of Marshawn’s greatest runs
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