Pro-footballer Marshawn Lynch might take another indefinite break from the National Football League. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lynch will step away from the turf “after two seasons playing for his hometown Oakland Raiders.”
CBS Sports reports Lynch prepared to share his decision on staying in the league or exiting after the NFL Draft, which is set to take place on Thursday (April 25). He’s been with the Raiders since 2017.
Prior to suiting up for his hometown’s team, Lynch launched his pro career with the Buffalo Bills where he was stationed from 2007-2010. Following that stint, the 33-year-old entrepreneur traveled across the country to play for the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-2015.
Following his last year with the Seahawks, Lynch publicized his retirement by posting a picture of hanged up cleats on Twitter. In 2017, Lynch laced up once more to join the Oakland Raiders. During a press conference, Lynch shared that he wanted to play for the team before their move to Las Vegas, as a symbol to young children that someone from their town is a part of this movement.
“With me being from here and continuing to be here, it gives them an opportunity to see someone who actually did it, who is from where they’re from, someone they probably idolized,” he said, per USA Today. Lynch also shared the atmosphere he would encounter on game days.
“The way we feel about where we’re from, and why we represent so hard is because we know what the struggle is and how we get down,” he said. “Every home game that I get to come to this [stadium], I’m probably going to be riding with the whole town.”
After two seasons playing for his hometown Oakland Raiders, Marshawn Lynch is not planning to play football again, league sources tell ESPN.
Now, with the three-day draft kicking off Thursday night in Nashville, the Raiders have one more potential need to address: running back.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2019
— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) February 8, 2016