Marshawn Lynch May Be Fined By NFL for "Beast Mode" Hat at Media Day

The NFL vs. Marshawn Lynch Round 87 appears to be on the docket. This time over a hat the Seahawks running back wore to Media Day on Tuesday. Yes, a hat.

Lynch wore one of his own Beast Mode hats — while telling the assembled masses “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” The hat is not approved by the league. In turn the NFL may fine him for this per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Darren Rovell.

"Unfortunately, for Lynch, showing up wasn’t the only criteria. Sources tell ESPN that, after the Super Bowl, the league will review whether the hat Lynch wore during the event was permissible. If the league rules that Lynch used Media Day to promote a brand that was not approved by the league, he could face a significant fine. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined to comment. The NFL makes clear to players that they cannot wear brands that conflict with league partners on the field during games and during postgame interviews. That is extended to Super Bowl Media Day, where a record amount of cameras are on the players."

If you’ll recall, the NFL reportedly threatened to eject Lynch from the NFC Championship game if he wore non-approved golden cleats.

The NFL takes branding seriously. Very seriously, as seen by the Beats by Dre “controversy” which arose earlier this season. Ryan Glasspiegel wrote about that in October, highlighting some of the other fines levied by the NFL for players promoting non-league approved brands:

"Players have been getting fined for impermissible brand exposure for nearly 30 years. In 2007, Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for wearing a Vitamin Water hat at the Super Bowl. In 1986, Jim McMahon got fined $5,000 for wearing an Adidas headband. The league threatened to fine Brent Celek in 2009 for striking a Captain Morgan pose after touchdowns."

Oh right, there may or may not be an actual football game on Sunday to decide the NFL championship. Sources are conflicting at this point.