Marshawn Lynch drops hint about launching political career

Dec 29, 2019; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. San Francisco defeated Seattle 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Marshawn Lynch might be contemplating a radical new career path.

Lynch seemingly suggested that he might run for mayor of Oakland in the most recent episode of his “Politickin'” podcast. The former NFL running back co-hosts the podcast with current California Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as his longtime agent Doug Hendrickson.

“It might be a possibility,” Lynch said of a possible run, via Christopher Cadelago of Politico.

Newsom encouraged Lynch to pursue the possibility, and cited polling showing that Lynch is popular in the city. Lynch was determined to not get ahead of himself, though he did joke that his tenure might look a lot like the 2003 film “Head of State.”

“Do you remember when Bernie Mac was walking through, when he was slapping the s–t out of everybody?” Lynch asked. “That’s how I would be coming through there … slapping the s–t out of everybody, like, ‘Get your s–t together.'”

Lynch, an Oakland native, is best remembered for his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, not to mention his unfiltered off-field nature. Few would have pegged him as a potential political candidate, especially since he has some red flags on his public record, but Lynch has never been all that predictable.

Lynch last played in the NFL in 2019. He has an outside chance of making it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year.