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 former NFL running back. He played college football at California, earning All-American honors. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2007, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2010, where he spent most of his career. Lynch is known for his powerful running style and significant contributions to the Seahawks' success. He earned Pro Bowl honors with both the Bills and the Seahawks.

Sections (4)

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

1981: Bills Non-Quarterback Touchdown Pass

In 1981, prior to Marshawn Lynch completing a touchdown pass in 2007, the last touchdown pass completed by a Bills non-quarterback was running back Joe Cribbs.

2002: Bills Running Back in Pro Bowl

In 2002, Travis Henry was the last Bills running back to head to the Pro Bowl before Marshawn Lynch in 2008.

2004: Freshman Year at Cal

In 2004, as a true freshman at University of California Berkeley, Marshawn Lynch played as the primary backup and had a successful debut season with 628 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 147 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.

2005: Starting Running Back

In 2005, Marshawn Lynch became the starting running back after Arrington graduated, amassing 1,246 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury. He was also named MVP in the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl.

December 28, 2006: Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

On December 28, 2006, Marshawn Lynch played his final game for Cal in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, running for 111 yards and two touchdowns, sharing the Co-Offensive Player of the Game award.

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 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: 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.

2010: Traded to the Seattle Seahawks

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

2010: Joins Seattle Seahawks and Beast Quake

In 2010, Marshawn Lynch joined the Seattle Seahawks and later had his famous 'Beast Quake' touchdown during the 2010-11 NFL playoffs.

January 8, 2011: 67-yard Touchdown Run Against Saints

On January 8, 2011, in his first career playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, Marshawn Lynch had a memorable 67-yard touchdown run. He broke nine tackles and threw Saints cornerback Tracy Porter to the ground with one arm. This play, dubbed the "Beast Quake" in Seattle, got its name from Lynch's nickname, "Beast Mode," and the intense movement from celebrating fans that registered on a seismograph.

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

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

2013: Featured in Red Bull's "Athletes Give Back" Campaign

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

January 28, 2014: Official Deal with Skittles Announced

On January 28, 2014, an official deal between Marshawn Lynch and Skittles was announced, including personal compensation and a donation to his Fam First Foundation for each touchdown scored in Super Bowl XLVIII.

March 6, 2015: Agreed to Contract Extension with Seahawks

On March 6, 2015, Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle 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: Leaves Seattle Seahawks

In 2015, Marshawn Lynch's time with the Seattle Seahawks ended.

February 7, 2016: Opening of First Beast Mode Store

Marshawn Lynch's first Beast Mode store opened in Oakland, California on February 7, 2016, during Super Bowl 50.

April 26, 2017: Traded to Oakland Raiders

On April 26, 2017, Marshawn Lynch officially passed his physical and was 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 signed a two-year contract with the Raiders.

September 19, 2017: Launch of Beast Mobile Cellphone Service

On September 19, 2017, Marshawn Lynch launched his own ad-supported Beast Mobile cellphone service.

2017: Return to the NFL

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

November 2018: Announcement as Team Owner in Fan Controlled Football League

In November 2018, Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman were announced as the first two team owners in a proposed Fan Controlled Football League.

2018: Partnership with SE Bikes BMX Company

In 2018, Marshawn Lynch partnered with SE Bikes BMX company to create a Beast Mode Ripper: an adult-sized BMX bike with customized Beast Mode branding as a 2018 SE Bicycle.

December 23, 2019: Signed with Seahawks after injuries

On December 23, 2019, Marshawn Lynch returned to the NFL, signing with the Seattle Seahawks alongside 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 before retiring again.

2019: Announcement as Co-Owner of Oakland Panthers

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

January 12, 2020: Speculation on Return to Seahawks

During a postgame interview on January 12, 2020, Marshawn Lynch was asked if he'll return for the Seahawks in the 2020 NFL season. Lynch responded with "We'll see what's happening."

December 2020: Interest in Signing with Super Bowl Contender

In a December 2020 interview with Conan O'Brien, Marshawn Lynch said 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: Participation in Fan Controlled Football (FCF)

In February 2021, Marshawn Lynch participated in the first game of Fan Controlled Football (FCF), rebranded from Project Fanchise, as one of three owners of a team called the Beasts.

April 2021: Joins Ownership Group of Oakland Roots SC and PFL

In April 2021, Marshawn Lynch joined the ownership group of the Oakland Roots SC of the USL Championship and became a brand ambassador and investor for the PFL.

October 2021: Named NFLPA Brand Chief Ambassador

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

November 2021: Investment 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 Cannabis Line

In 2021, Marshawn Lynch launched a line of cannabis products under the brand name Dodi Blunts, distributing blunts to dispensaries throughout the Bay Area, with a portion of proceeds going to the Last Prisoner Project.

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: Lynch co-hosts Politickin' podcast

In July 2024, Marshawn Lynch began co-hosting the 'Politickin'' podcast with California governor Gavin Newsom and sports agent Doug Hendrickson. The podcast features interviews with celebrities and covers topics mostly unrelated to politics.