Take care of yo' chicken
On the brink of retirement, Marshawn Lynch imparted some wisdom on this day in 2020 to his fellow NFL Pros. He doesn't love public speaking, but he does have a way with words.
Marshawn Lynch is a now retired NFL running back who was a star with the Seattle Seahawks. His nickname was ‘Beast Mode’ and he was a famously taciturn interviewee, offering monosyllabic answers to most questions and often copping fines for refusing to speak to the media. In 2013, when Lynch led the league in rushing touchdowns and the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, he was fined $50,000 for refusing to speak to the media all season. Seahawks fans crowdfunded the amount to pay the fine for him.
Here is a collection of his greatest hits:
But on this day, January 13th, three years ago, Marshawn Lynch got expansive (for him). With the end upon him, Lynch gave some advice to younger NFL players about making hay and looking after themselves while it lasts, and he did it in his own way:
It’s a vulnerable time for a lot of these young dudes, you feel me? They don’t be taking care of their chicken right, you feel me? If they was me, or if I had the opportunity to let these young [guys] know something, I’d say take care of your money, African, because that shit don’t last forever. Now, I done been on the other side of retirement and it’s good when you can get over there and you can do what the fuck you want to.
So, I’ll tell you right now while y’all in it, take care yo’ bodies, take care yo’ chicken, ya feel me, take care yo’ mentals, cuz little we ain’t lasting that long. So start taking care of yo’ mentals, yo’ bodies and yo’ chicken. And when y’all ready to walk away, you walk away and be able to do what you want to do.
I appreciate it, thanks y’all.
Speakola does celebrate all speeches great and small. It’s been largely a labour of love since 2016 when I put up the first speeches. There are now more than 3000 on the site, 50 hours of podcast, and hundreds of these newsletter instalments. If you want to help me take care of my chicken (and my mentals) you can become a paid subscriber for the cost of a coffee a month. ($A5 or US$3.50) Thank you!
January 13th is also the birthday of one of my favourite writers on Substack, Adam Zwar of
.He’s written a tribute to January 13th. Subscribe to The Kicker!
I’ve reposted my most popular piece on Good one, Wilson.
