It was the comeback of all comebacks.
Rashaad Penny was already out for the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament when the Seahawks Week 16 game vs. Arizona created a “s---storm,” as offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer remembers it.
In the second quarter, Chris Carson suffered a broken hip. His backup, C.J. Prosise, entered the game, only to later go down with a broken arm. Rookie Travis Homer, the Seahawks sixth-round draft pick, was now the team’s only healthy back.
Then, Doug Hendrickson’s phone lit up. It was a text from Seahawks general manager John Schneider with the words “call me.”
Seattle needed Marshawn Lynch.
Moving on
In an eloquent piece by NFL.com’s Mike Silver, he detailed the iconic running back’s legendary return to Seattle which helped “heal broken hearts, mended fences and supplied a sense of closure for all parties involved.”
It all began with an unexpected meeting at a Bellevue steakhouse, where Schneider, who was eating dinner with Chris Berman and Seahawks senior vice president of communications Dave Pearson, saw Lynch eating dinner with his family.
The four men exchanged pleasantries, but Schneider ultimately saw a different Beast Mode than years past.
"It was time for him to move on," Schneider told Silver. "The message had gotten old. There were a lot of people in his ear about how he'd gotten screwed in the Super Bowl (XLIX)."
Schneider hinted at a possible return, suggesting Lynch could be well-suited for a late- season role.
"You never know how it goes. Maybe you could get yourself in shape and come in around Week 9,” Schneider said.
"Nah," Lynch said, "maybe Week 13 or something."
The two bumped into one another months later at Cliff Avril’s Dining to Make a Difference charity event. Schneider, having recently watched tape of Lynch’s 2018 season, asked the 34-year-old if he was staying in shape.
Shoot, I can be ready to go. You ain't serious, anyway. – Marshawn Lynch
A date at Dino’s
After the Seahawks 28-12 vs. the Rams on Dec. 8, where Penny was lost for the season, Schneider received an unusual text: Lynch was in the building.
For those that don’t remember, Lynch’s unexpected visit was reported to the league’s office. As it turns out, per Silver, Lynch was just stopping by to visit his uncle, Lee Lynch, who works as a facilities assistant for the team.
The veteran running back’s “Beast Mode,” apparel store is also close by.
Schneider suggested that the Lynchs meet him out for lunch at Dino’s, Lee’s favorite spot. The meeting was more than a lunch date, it had become business.
It was, how was I feeling? Is this really for real? Is this something I'd really be interested in and want? And, 'There is an opportunity for it to actually happen, so would you make this situation go if we had to pull the trigger?' And I said, 'If y'all really serious about it, then yeah.' So then they sort of put me on standby." – Marshawn Lynch
[Listen to the latest Talkin’ Seahawks Podcast with host Joe Fann and special guest Gregg Bell].
Pete Carroll wasn’t sold until…
For the most part, Carroll was loosely informed of Schneider’s run-ins with Lynch, according to Silver. The Seahawks coach began to ponder the possibly of a reunion, looking to bury some wounds of the past, including the unforgettable Super Bowl XLIX loss.
But then Chris Carson ran for 133 yards in the Seahawks' 30-24 road win over the Carolina Panthers and Schneider called up Hendrickson, Lynch’s agent, and told him “we’re not gonna do anything.”
Lynch booked a trip to Toronto for a trip with some friends, and that was it... until the following Sunday, that is.
Three hours after learning of the injuries to Carson and Prosise on Dec. 22, Hendrickson got Lynch on the phone. The veteran running back soon cleared customs and headed to the VMAC to have a tough conversation with Carroll.
As he was talking, I was kinda laughing. It was funny to me that he cared enough to try really hard to make that point that he was gonna come do everything for the right reasons. I said a couple of things: 'I expect you to do everything and be involved with all of it.' And then I said, 'I've got no problems; you're in.' – Pete Carroll
A sense of closure
Lynch’s return gave the Seahawks an immediate boost. It also caught him by surprise. The O.G. still had it.
"To be from one week sitting down, kicking back, drinking hella Hennessy, and then the next week to ... Beast Mode," Lynch told Silver. "That s--- felt hella good."
Lynch went from pouring tequila shots for fans tailgating at the Oakland Coliseum to suiting up for the Seahawks in one of the most meaningful games of the season against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. He didn’t disappoint.
Lynch would rush for 34 yards and a touchdown, but the Seahawks came up 1-yard shy of a come-behind win and an NFC West championship. They were just two inches away from everything.
The Return of Beast Mode would continue into the playoffs. The veteran running back had 33 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks’ two playoff games, but Seattle’s Super Bowl ended in Green Bay.
It was there we were gifted with this legendary Lynch speech.
Take care of y'all mentals, y'all bodies, y'all chicken, so when y'all ready to walk away y'all walk away and you'll be able to do what y'all want to do. -- Marshawn Lynch
There’s no telling if Beast Mode will return to the Seahawks in 2020 or if this is Lynch’s last ride, but at least we all got to witness vintage Marshawn Lynch one last time.
Coach Carroll knows the 34-year-old running back gave it his all, if even for just 19 days.
“Marshawn gave his whole heart to the opportunity,” Carroll told Silver. “Not always can we show our best side when we're under siege, but he is such a powerful individual. That was just a great finish."
[RELATED: John Schneider says Seahawks ‘wouldn’t say no’ to Marshawn Lynch return]
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