Marshawn Lynch not only makes moves on the football field, but he’s also displaying his footwork in the boardroom. According to Sports Illustrated, the Seattle Seahawks running back trademarked his famous saying, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”
The 29-year-old athlete introduced the term during a press conference for Super Bowl Media Day in 2015. While reporters fired off their questions at the world-renowned sportsman, he simply replied with his now coined term, “I’m just here so I don’t get fined. So y’all could sit here and ask me all the questions y’all want to. I’m going to answer with the same answer so y’all can shoot if y’all please. I’m here so I won’t get fined.” This went on for close to five minutes.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office revealed that Lynch has the rights to own and market the term, mainly through the sale of apparel like sweatshirts or hats. Lynch has received fines ranging from $20,000-75,000 from the league for his relationship, or lack thereof, with the media and not meeting their criteria for interviews postgame. But it looks like he turned this sour matter into a profitable outcome.
This isn’t Lynch’s first bout with the media. Another viral video in particular followed the Seahawks’ win over the Arizona Cardinals in Nov. 2014. In the locker room, reporters asked Lynch various questions, but his response was simply “Yeah.”
Be on the lookout for new merchandise from Lynch in the future, but in case you need a reminder, check out his entire press conference where that catchphrase was born below.