Raiders fans are giddy over the prospect of Marshawn Lynch playing in silver and black. The proud Oakland native met with Raiders brass on Wednesday, and reportedly said he’s ready to come out of retirement and play professional football again.
If he actually applies for reinstatement, it would be to play for his hometown team.
The enigmatic running back doesn’t say much in public, leaving fans to mine for clues about Marshwan’s career outlook.
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His mother Delisa Lynch was asked about Marshawn’s plans Thursday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. While she didn’t spill any beans, she said there’s an excitement in Oakland about Marshawn playing for her favorite team.
“Oakland is home for me,” she said. “I’m from (Oakland Tech High). The Bay Area is where I was born and raised, so I’ve always been a Bay Area girl. I’m a Raider girl. You tell me how I should feel if it does happen?”
Raiders fans are excited about a hometown product, someone who champions Oakland at every turn, coming to play in last few years before the team ships off to Las Vegas.
“The town is buzzing and everybody’s loving it, and I am too,” Delisa Lynch said.
San Francisco 49ers
Lynch already has Raiders ties beyond where she grew up. Her brother Lorenzo Lynch played two seasons with the Raiders in 1996 and 1997, at the end of a 10-year career.
Could Marshawn be the second Lynch to play for the Raiders? Fans have gleaned hope from his Beastmode clothing line, which just debuted a “Silver and Black collection” featuring the Beastmode logo on a football helmet, with Oakland prominently featured.
If Lynch ultimate applies for reinstatement to the NFL, the Raiders must acquire his rights from Seattle – he’s on the Seahawks’ reserve-retired list and technically still under contract – and negotiate a new deal with the Raiders. The process could be slow as parties make sure a union is best for all sides.