Petition: Revise media policy, NFL

ByTerry Blount ESPN logo
Wednesday, January 14, 2015

A Seahawks fan has started a petition asking the NFL to revise its media policy so Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch does not have to talk with reporters.

The petition was posted Sunday on GoPetition.com and had more than 32,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

The exact wording in the petition read:

"As a 12, I am calling on the NFL to revise its media policy so that all players are given equal and fair rights as a human being without fear of financial intimidation.

"As a fan, I have witnessed enough harassment and undeserving consequences regarding Marshawn Lynch due to his very obvious anxiety interacting with the media. I feel, and many agree, that what you are doing is wrong. You advocate against bullying and domestic violence, but force your players into uncomfortable situations? With a fine attached? There are other players willing to talk to the media and it should be a personal choice.

"Your rules state, 'Reasonable cooperation with the news media is essential to the continuing popularity of our game and its players and coaches.' I don't feel your rules are reasonable as they read currently, considering the only benefit 'popularity' wise the NFL gets by bullying Marshawn is money out of his paycheck. This is not OK. And it needs to change because its unnecessary and cruel, as well as hypocritical.

"Enough is enough!"

Lynch was fined $100,000 earlier this season ($50,000 for this year and $50,000 that was held from last year if he cooperated) for not talking to the media. He lost an appeal to the fine last week.

Since the $100,000 fine, Lynch has used brief responses whenever he was asked questions after games. Three responses he used in recent games were "Thanks for asking," "I'm thankful," and "Why do y'all keep doing this every week?"

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