Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Marshawn Lynch

Discover the career path of Marshawn Lynch, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Marshawn Lynch, nicknamed "Beast Mode," is a retired American NFL running back. He played 12 seasons, primarily with the Seattle Seahawks, achieving iconic status for his powerful running style and memorable personality. Before the NFL, Lynch starred at the University of California, earning All-American honors. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2007, he was traded to Seattle in 2010, where he became a Super Bowl champion and a beloved figure in the city. Known for his elusive moves and punishing runs, Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2003: Outstanding High School Season

During the 2003 season at Oakland Technical High School, Marshawn Lynch amassed 1,722 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in eight regular-season games, and an additional 375 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in two postseason games. He earned All-American honors and was named San Francisco East Bay Player of the Year.

2004: Freshman Season at Cal

In 2004, as a true freshman at the University of California Berkeley, Marshawn Lynch served as the primary backup. He had 71 carries for 628 yards with eight rushing touchdowns and 147 yards on 19 receptions and two receiving touchdowns.

2005: Starting Running Back at Cal

In 2005, Marshawn Lynch became the starting running back for the California Golden Bears. He amassed 1,246 rushing yards with 10 rushing touchdowns and was named MVP of the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl.

December 28, 2006: Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

On December 28, 2006, Marshawn Lynch ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. He shared the Co-Offensive Player of the Game award.

2006: End of College Football Career

In 2006, Marshawn Lynch concluded his football career with the Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley.

2006: Fam1st Family Foundation Established

In 2006, Marshawn Lynch started his own charitable foundation called the Fam1st Family Foundation to give back to his hometown of Oakland, California.

2006: All-Pac-10 Team Selection

In 2006, Marshawn Lynch was named to the All-Pac-10 first team and was also named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named an AFCA All-America.

2006: Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year

In 2006, Marshawn Lynch won Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-American honors while playing college football for the California Golden Bears.

January 2, 2007: Declared for the NFL Draft

On January 2, 2007, Marshawn Lynch announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2007 NFL draft.

April 28, 2007: Drafted by Buffalo Bills

On April 28, 2007, Marshawn Lynch was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft and agreed to a six-year contract.

2007: NFL All-Rookie Team

In 2007, Marshawn Lynch was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team after a successful rookie season with 1,115 total rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

2007: Drafted into the NFL

In 2007, Marshawn Lynch was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills.

2008: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2008, Marshawn Lynch earned Pro Bowl honors while playing for the Buffalo Bills.

2009: Replaced as Starting Running Back

In 2009, Marshawn Lynch was replaced as the Bills' starting running back by Fred Jackson and finished the season with 450 yards on 120 carries with two rushing touchdowns.

2010: Traded to the Seahawks

During the 2010 season, Marshawn Lynch was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

March 4, 2012: Signed Four-Year Contract with Seahawks

On March 4, 2012, Marshawn Lynch signed a four-year, $31 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

2013: Featured in Red Bull Campaign

In 2013, Marshawn Lynch was featured in Red Bull's "Athletes Give Back" campaign when he put together a successful food drive for his hometown.

July 24, 2014: Announced Hold Out of Training Camp

On July 24, 2014, former Seahawks fullback and good friend Michael Robinson announced that Marshawn Lynch would hold out of Training Camp while he waited for a restructured contract from the Seahawks.

March 6, 2015: Signed Contract Extension with Seahawks

On March 6, 2015, Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks agreed to a 2-year, $24 million contract extension.

2015: First Retirement

In 2015, Marshawn Lynch initially retired from the NFL following an injury-plagued year.

2015: End of first stint with Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch's first stint with the Seattle Seahawks concluded in 2015.

February 7, 2016: Announced Retirement via Twitter

On February 7, 2016, the day of Super Bowl 50, Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement via Twitter by posting a picture of his football cleats hanging from a telephone wire.

April 26, 2017: Traded to the Oakland Raiders

On April 26, 2017, Marshawn Lynch was officially traded to the Oakland Raiders along with Seattle's sixth-round draft pick for Oakland's fifth-round selection in the 2018 NFL draft. Lynch also signed a two-year contract with the Raiders on April 26, 2017.

September 19, 2017: Launch of Beast Mobile

On September 19, 2017, Marshawn Lynch launched his own ad-supported Beast Mobile cellphone service that allowed subscribers to pay their phone bill by engaging in ads and offers.

2017: Return to the NFL

In 2017, Marshawn Lynch returned to the NFL to play for the Oakland Raiders.

November 2018: Team Owner in Fan Controlled Football League

In November 2018, Marshawn Lynch was announced as one of the first two team owners in a proposed Fan Controlled Football League.

December 23, 2019: Signed with the Seahawks

On December 23, 2019, Marshawn Lynch signed with the Seattle Seahawks alongside former teammate Robert Turbin, after Seattle lost three running backs to injury.

2019: Reunited with the Seahawks

In 2019, Marshawn Lynch reunited with the Seattle Seahawks for their last regular-season game and playoff run.

2019: Co-Owner of Oakland Panthers

In 2019, Marshawn Lynch was announced as co-owner of the Oakland Panthers of the Indoor Football League (IFL).

2019: Playoff Touchdowns Record

In 2019, Marshawn Lynch's three additional playoff touchdowns moved him into fourth place on the all-time postseason rushing touchdowns list, tying him with Terrell Davis and John Riggins with 12 touchdowns.

January 12, 2020: Lynch's potential return for the Seahawks

On January 12, 2020, during a postgame interview, Marshawn Lynch responded to questions about returning to the Seahawks for the 2020 NFL season with "We'll see what's happening".

December 2020: Lynch Willing to Sign with Super Bowl Contender

In December 2020, Marshawn Lynch stated in an interview with Conan O'Brien that teams had expressed interest in signing him and that he was willing to sign with a team that is a Super Bowl contender.

February 2021: Inaugural Fan Controlled Football Game

In February 2021, the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league played its first game, with Marshawn Lynch as one of three owners of a team called the Beasts. Lynch dressed for the game but decided not to play.

April 2021: Joined Oakland Roots SC Ownership Group

In April 2021, Marshawn Lynch joined the ownership group of the Oakland Roots SC of the USL Championship.

October 2021: Named NFLPA Brand Chief Ambassador

In October 2021, Marshawn Lynch was named the first NFLPA brand chief ambassador.

November 2021: Investor in PORTL Inc.

In November 2021, Marshawn Lynch was revealed as an investor in PORTL Inc., the holoportation startup, as part of its $12M Series A round.

2021: Launch of Dodi Blunts

In 2021, Marshawn Lynch launched a line of cannabis products under the brand name Dodi Blunts.

April 18, 2022: Joined Seattle Kraken Ownership Group

On April 18, 2022, the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL) announced that Marshawn Lynch had joined its ownership group.

July 2024: Co-hosting the Politickin' podcast

In July 2024, Marshawn Lynch began co-hosting the 'Politickin'' podcast with California governor Gavin Newsom and sports agent Doug Hendrickson, discussing various topics and interviewing celebrities.