History of Marshawn Lynch in Timeline
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.
1981: Bills Touchdown Pass
In 1981, a Bills non-quarterback completed a touchdown pass for the first time since Joe Cribbs. Marshawn Lynch would replicate this feat later in his career.
1984: Greg Bell's 1,000-yard mark
In 1984, Greg Bell was the last Bills rookie to break the 1,000-yard mark, before Marshawn Lynch did it in December 2007.
April 22, 1986: Marshawn Lynch Born
On April 22, 1986, Marshawn Terrell Lynch was born. He is an American former professional football running back.
1996: Origin of "Beast Mode"
In 1996, the term "Beast Mode" was in use with the debut of the animated Transformers series Beast Wars. Marshawn Lynch claims the nickname developed because one of his childhood coaches would refer to him as a beast.
1996: Bills Offense
In 1996, there was the last time the Bills' offense produced two 100-yard rushers, before Marshawn Lynch's success in December 2007.
2000: Attended Oakland Technical High School
In 2000, Marshawn Lynch began attending Oakland Technical High School.
2002: Travis Henry's Pro Bowl
In 2002, Travis Henry was the last Bills running back to head to the Pro Bowl before Marshawn Lynch did in 2008.
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: Attended UC Berkeley
In 2004, Marshawn Lynch began attending the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in social welfare and played for the Golden Bears football team.
2004: Graduated from Oakland Technical High School
In 2004, Marshawn Lynch graduated from Oakland Technical High School.
2004: Played alongside Robert Jordan
In 2004, Robert Jordan, played alongside Marshawn Lynch at Cal.
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.
2004: Highlight footage for Heisman Campaign
The website Marshawn10.com, launched for Marshawn Lynch's 2006 Heisman campaign, featured Lynch's highlights from 2004 to 2006.
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.
July 22, 2006: Heisman Trophy Campaign Launched
On July 22, 2006, the Cal football program officially launched a campaign for Marshawn Lynch to win the 2006 Heisman Trophy with the opening of the website Marshawn10.com.
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: Preseason Accolades and Track
In 2006, Marshawn Lynch earned a spot on the watchlist for the Maxwell Award, was named 8th best player in the nation by Sports Illustrated, earned several preseason All-American accolades, and competed in track and field.
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.
2006: Played alongside Robert Jordan
In 2006, Robert Jordan, played alongside Marshawn Lynch at Cal.
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.
2007: Limited Passing Game Involvement
Marshawn Lynch had limited involvement in the passing game during the 2007 season.
2007: Comparison to 2007 Season
Marshawn Lynch's receiving yards for the 2008 season was 300 yards on 47 receptions, including a receiving touchdown. This is contrasted with his 2007 season total of 184 yards on 18 receptions.
June 2008: Pled Guilty to Hit-and-Run
In June 2008, Marshawn Lynch pled guilty to a hit-and-run charge and had his driver's license revoked after striking a woman with his 2008 Porsche Cayenne in Buffalo.
2008: Inspiration for "Beast Mode" Nickname
In 2008, Marshawn Lynch claimed on the Politickin' podcast that the nickname "Beast Mode" draws inspiration from the song of the same name by Boosie.
2008: Pro Bowl Selection
In 2008, Marshawn Lynch earned Pro Bowl honors while playing for the Buffalo Bills.
2008: Increased Role in Passing Game
In 2008, it was expected that Marshawn Lynch would be more involved in Buffalo's passing game, his second season as a professional.
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.
2009: Suspension for Weapons Charges
In 2009, following his guilty plea on misdemeanor weapons charges, Marshawn Lynch was suspended for the first three games of the season for violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy.
2010: Traded to the Seahawks
During the 2010 season, Marshawn Lynch was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
December 5, 2011: Skittles During Nationally Televised Game
On December 5, 2011, Marshawn Lynch was shown eating Skittles during a nationally televised game, leading to a partnership with Mars.
December 30, 2011: Fined for Skittles Cleats
On December 30, 2011, Marshawn Lynch was fined $10,000 for wearing cleats featuring a Skittles pattern.
2011: Affinity for Grills
Marshawn Lynch has an affinity for purchasing grills and has been wearing the gold jewelry since his junior year in high school in 2011.
January 24, 2012: Added to NFC Pro Bowl Roster
On January 24, 2012, Marshawn Lynch was added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster to replace San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.
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.
July 14, 2012: Arrested for DUI
On July 14, 2012, Marshawn Lynch was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after being observed driving erratically.
2012: Purchased Customized Seahawks Grill
After the 2011 season, Marshawn Lynch purchased a customized Seahawks grill in time for the 2012 season.
November 2013: Motion to Dismiss DUI Denied
In November 2013, a motion to dismiss Marshawn Lynch's DUI case was denied.
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.
2013: Fined by NFL for Refusing to Talk to Media
In 2013, Marshawn Lynch was fined $50,000 by the NFL for refusing to talk to the media, which led to fans fundraising to cover the amount.
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 he scored in Super Bowl XLVIII.
February 2014: Plead Guilty to Reckless Driving
In February 2014, Marshawn Lynch settled his DUI case by pleading guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving, receiving probation, a fine, and attending drivers' safety classes.
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.
November 19, 2014: Fined $100,000 for Refusing to Speak to Media
On November 19, 2014, Marshawn Lynch was fined $100,000 for refusing to speak to the media.
December 21, 2014: Answers with "Thanks for Asking"
On December 21, 2014, after the second Seahawks–Cardinals game, Marshawn Lynch answered nearly every question from reporters with some version of "Thanks for asking" or "I appreciate you asking."
2014: Returned a Lost Wallet
In 2014, Marshawn Lynch found a lost wallet outside Seattle at a gas station and returned it to the owner.
January 27, 2015: Super Bowl XLIX Media Day
On January 27, 2015, Marshawn Lynch made headlines at Super Bowl XLIX Media Day when he held a press conference, only answering "I'm just here so I won't get fined" to every question, showcasing his unwillingness to talk to the media.
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.
April 8, 2015: Ludacris Releases "Beast Mode" Single
On April 8, 2015, rapper Ludacris released the music video for his single "Beast Mode", which was named after Marshawn Lynch, who also appeared in the video.
June 19, 2015: Appearance on Tanked
On June 19, 2015, Marshawn Lynch appeared in the fourth episode of the sixth season of Tanked, where a special fish tank was created for "BeastMode".
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: Appearance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine
In 2017, Marshawn Lynch appeared as himself in an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine called "The Fugitive", where he played an eyewitness to a convict escape.
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.
2018: Partnership with SE Bikes
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 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.
2019: Release of Marshawn Lynch: A History Documentary
In 2019, the documentary film Marshawn Lynch: A History, which explores the roots of Lynch's reticence, was released.
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.
2020: Honorary Degree from Princeton
In 2020, Marshawn Lynch received an honorary degree from Princeton University after being invited to be the Class of 2020 speaker.
2020: Oakland Panthers Season Cancelled
In 2020, the Oakland Panthers' season was cancelled after the opening week due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
2021: Oakland Panthers Go Dormant
In 2021, the Oakland Panthers went dormant for the season.
February 2022: Appearance on Murderville
In February 2022, Marshawn Lynch appeared as himself alongside Will Arnett in an episode of Murderville, a comedic murder-mystery streaming television series released by Netflix.
August 9, 2022: Arrested for DUI in Las Vegas
On August 9, 2022, Marshawn Lynch was arrested on suspicion of DUI near the Las Vegas Strip after being found asleep in a parked car with noticeable damage. He was later released after posting bail, and his lawyers disputed the charges.
2022: Appearance on The Great American Baking Show
In 2022, Marshawn Lynch appeared on The Great American Baking Show.
December 2023: Appeared on Lego Masters second installment of its "Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular"
In December 2023, Marshawn Lynch appeared on Lego Masters second installment of its "Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular", teaming up with contestant Dave Guedes.
May 13, 2024: Appearance in Ian's "Figure It Out" Music Video
On May 13, 2024, Marshawn Lynch appeared on Ian's "Figure It Out" music video.
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.
2024: American Horse of the Year
In 2024, Thorpedo Anna was named American Horse of the Year.
August 2025: Purchased Interest in Racehorse Thorpedo Anna
In August 2025, Marshawn Lynch purchased a minority interest in a thoroughbred racehorse, acquiring a stake in 2024 American Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.
2025: Acting role in Euphoria Season 3
In 2025, Marshawn Lynch is set to portray a character in the third season of 'Euphoria'.
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