Seahawks support tight-lipped Lynch

Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch is nicknamed "Beast Mode" when it comes to playing American football, but when it comes to talking about Sunday's Super Bowl, he's in "Least Mode." Lynch is confident Seahawks supporters, known as the "12th Man", back his stand and teammates said Wednesday his reluctance to join the hype is no problem for them entering Sunday's Super Bowl 48 showdown with Denver at East Rutherford, New Jersey. "I pay attention to Marshawn Lynch. He is a great running back," said Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman. "We don't worry about this stuff here. It's no distraction to our team. Not at all." National Football League rules require players to attend Super Bowl interview sessions with reporters, even Lynch, who has not spoken with reporters all season despite running for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns. So he spoke for six minutes and walked away from the Media Day chaos Tuesday, then sat in front of about 60 reporters and said almost nothing before climbing over chairs to escape questions after less than seven minutes Wednesday. "I really don't have too much to say, boss. I really don't," Lynch said. "I appreciate it, but I don't get it. I'm just here so I won't get fined, boss. That's the only reason I'm here." And to Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who stresses letting players be themselves on and off the field, that's fine. "Not everybody is the same," Carroll said. "We celebrate the individuality and uniqueness of our guys. We are who we are. There are people who are more available than others." Lynch doesn't mind not making himself available to fans around the world because he has seen Twitter support from Seattle's fans. "The 12s don't have a problem with it. They have got my back on this," Lynch said. "The fans ain't tripping so what's the point. People I play for on Sunday don't have a problem with it. The media has a problem with it." Sherman, clearly not shy about public speaking, started his own firestorm with heated comments after a semi-final playoff win over San Francisco. He wishes Lynch didn't have to show up for reporters or face being fined. "I don't think it's fair to push him," Sherman said. "It's not everybody's cup of tea. I don't think they should be forced to do something they are not comfortable doing." Lynch was a portrait of uncomfortable until fellow running back Michael Robinson sat next to him and acted as a translator of sorts, answering questions as he thought Lynch would, sparking laughter from Lynch. "He don't need to say much," Sherman said. "His game speaks for itself. He set off an earthquake last time he spoke." Indeed, seismic readings were felt on machines in Seattle after a big play by Lynch from the yells of the loudest crowd in the NFL. The latest weather forecasts for Sunday's game show temperatures in the mid-to-low 30s, still making it the coldest Super Bowl ever, but with almost no chance or rain or snow. Source: AFP