For fans, the week leading up to the Superbowl is filled with excitement. But for the players, the week demands immense focus for the final practices and team meetings.
An entire year’s work, both collectively as a team and individually as players, culminates in a single game.
Couple the high stress setting with the media obligations and the extravagant Superbowl parties and the final week of the football calendar becomes a whirlwind of distractions.
Marshawn Lynch, the running back for the Seattle Seahawks, understands this scenario better than most. Superbowl XLVI will be his second appearance in two years, but he knows better than to let all of the commotion deter his focus.
Lynch is an enigma. The NFL’s attempts to force Lynch into participating in post-game interviews have been futile. Marshawn has amassed $131,050 in fines this year, $50,000 of which were imposed for refusing to speak to the media.
From his gold grills, to his post-game antics, to his game-time Skittles snacks, Marshawn Lynch doesn’t care much for the spotlight. He is uninterested in “building his brand” or carrying himself in a manner that’ll appease America.
Lynch is content with being himself, regardless of the consequences.
“Why would he do himself a disservice by not helping to promote himself? Does he not want to promote himself at all?” — Skip Bayless, ESPN
Media Day, an event where reporters interact with players days before the Superbowl, has produced some of the most memorable moments leading up to the event. In the past, players have provided reporters with soundbites that amplify the competition and create intense storylines.
But Marshawn Lynch is uninterested in the off-field showmanship. At last year’s Media Day, football great Deion Sanders interviewed Lynch. The awkward interaction between the two did not last more than four minutes. When Sanders asked Lynch if he didn’t enjoy talking, Lynch responded with something that captured his essence:
“I’m ’bout that action, boss. I ain’t never seen no talking win me nothing. Been like that since I was little. I was raised like that.” — Marshawn Lynch, NFL Interview
This succinct quote has provided the world with insight into Lynch’s universe. The hoopla that surrounds the Superbowl is just a mirage for the running back. Lynch knows that the only way he can get another Superbowl ring is if he keeps his eye on the prize, not the optical illusions. He doesn’t let anyone force him to expend energy on something that isn’t related to his goals.
For the next week, don’t be worried about constantly marketing yourself or defining your personal brand. Try embodying Marshawn’s simple quote like it’s your mantra. Put your energy into the doing and the creating, not the talking.
Don’t speak about what you’re going to do, or what you plan on doing — just produce amazing work and let it speak for itself.
A little less conversation, a little more action please. Don’t forget to follow Year One on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for insight, wisdom and notices for when our posts go live.
Further Reading:
The Super Bowl Is Now North America’s Biggest Money-Making Sports TV Event
Further Viewing:
Image Credit: Bleacher Report
- Ray Lewis on Motivating Your Team – February 2, 2015
- Marshawn Lynch on Resistance – February 1, 2015
- Daniel Tysdal on Taking a Breather – January 28, 2015
- Amir Khan on Finding your Greater Purpose – December 31, 2014
- DJ Khaled on Positive Self-Talk – December 18, 2014
- Nabeel Rajab on Courage – December 11, 2014
- The Williams Sisters on Friendly Competition – September 22, 2014
- Floyd Mayweather on the Pressure of Perfection – September 12, 2014
