Marshawn Lynch Reportedly Retires From The NFL For The Second Time in Three Years

Back in 2017, Marshawn Lynch came out of retirement to play for his hometown team upon learning the Oakland Raiders would relocate to Las Vegas in 2020. But now, for the second time in three years after two seasons with his hometown team, Lynch is, once again, hanging up his cleats.

Lynch first pulled the plug on his career in 2016, during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl between the Panthers and the Broncos. In a simple tweet, Lynch shared a photo of cleats hanging over a cable line with a “peace” emoji, which symbolized the end of his nine years in the NFL. 

The baller’s retirement also came one year after Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks chose to throw an inside slant pass instead of handing the ball off to Lynch in Super Bowl XLIX.  With the opportunity to win the game on second and goal from the one-yard line, the ball was intercepted, costing the Seahawks the game. But now, three years later, Lynch’s retirement comes after his triumphant return to game, which was inspired by the youth of his hometown community. 

In an interview with USA Today, Lynch revealed that his hiatus was cut short because he wanted the kids from his hometown in Oakland to see a “homegrown star,” an Oakland native, play for their hometown team before it relocated to Las Vegas.

Now though, after two seasons at home, Lynch is ready to return home for good. According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the baller has decided to retire again.

“After two seasons playing for his hometown Oakland Raiders, Marshawn Lynch is not planning to play football again, league sources tell ESPN,” Schefter wrote.