Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch doesn’t play by the rules. 
On the field, he’s got his own style and his own attitude. He grabs his crotch just about every time he scores. And when he scores at home, he’s showered in the end zone with Skittles. 
He’s been as close to an on-field badass as the NFL has had in years after they outlawed any touchdown celebration that resembles fun or excitement unless it’s the spike or jumping into the crowd. Lynch’s crotch-grabbing has resulted in fines throughout his Seattle career, but that doesn’t seem to have bothered him.
Off the field, however, Lynch is more like a monk than an American tough guy.
He hates talking to the media. If it were up to Lynch, he probably wouldn’t even make himself available for interviews, but the NFL requires him to be. 
In the past, he has met this requirement by making himself available but answering questions with simple blanket phrases. He has used “yeah,” “maybe,” “nope,” “I appreciate it,” “thank you for asking” and “I’m thankful.” 
Tuesday, Lynch was subject to interviews at the NFL’s Super Bowl Media Day, when a flock of reporters pour onto the field at the Super Bowl site to ask each team questions. 
The day has become such a spectacle the NFL charges fans $28.50 to attend the event. Those willing to pay to see media members run around like chickens with their heads cut off get a headset to listen to the festivities. 
But lately, Media Day has become a sad excuse for any aspiring late-night talk show host to wear clearance rack Halloween costumes and ask ridiculous questions. This year, one person dressed as a superhero while another wore just a barrel, suspenders and a cowboy hat — yes, a barrel.
Lynch did his part this year and showed up to this asinine event. And of course he was up to his usual antics, answering every question with, “I’m
just here so I won’t get fined.”
Well, Lynch is subject to a fine anyway, according to an ESPN report. No, not because he grabbed his crotch during an interview or for anything he said (or chose not to say). 
It’s because he wore a “Beastmode” hat.
Wednesday, the Seahawks had another media session, and Lynch was again forced to answer questions. He responded to 14 questions with “you know why I’m here,” and, of course, he wore a “Beastmode” hat.
Congratulations, NFL. You did it. You found a way to let the Super Bowl Media Day circus harm a player. You let a “reporter” wear a barrel, but you wouldn’t let the Lynch wear a hat that promotes his own personal brand? That’s a joke, just like many of your practices.
You profit off his brand. You sell his jersey and make money off it. You’re even selling a picture of Lynch cradling his junk, the very act you fined him for, on your website. 
If Lynch doesn’t want to do interviews, he shouldn’t have to. He wouldn’t be subject to a fine if you hadn’t dragged him out there in the first place. 
Stop with these ridiculous fines. Stop being the No Fun League.
Lynch is a badass and should be seen as a superstar. Instead, you’re painting him as a villain. 
You can reach Brian Pellerin on Twitter @Pellerin_TDR.