Former NFL star Marshawn Lynch, known for his “Beast Mode” performances on the field, may be preparing for a new kind of campaign — this time for public office. In a recent episode of his Politickin’ podcast, Lynch hinted at a potential run for mayor of his hometown, Oakland, California.
“It might be a possibility,” Lynch said during a conversation with California Governor Gavin Newsom and his agent, Doug Hendrickson. Newsom was quick to encourage the idea, highlighting Lynch’s popularity. “Polling shows you have a 43 percent favorable rating in Oakland,” Newsom noted, with only 7 percent unfavorable. “That’s off the charts, brother,” he added.
Hometown Hero, Marshawn Lynch, Considering Politics
Lynch, who began his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills before becoming a household name with the Seattle Seahawks, is no stranger to leadership. His potential foray into politics started to take shape earlier this month, following his appearance on ESPN College GameDay at his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley. Reflecting on the experience, Lynch mentioned, “We don’t want to jump the gun just yet. I got a good internal team, and I want to make sure this is something we really wanna do.”
Oakland’s current mayor, Sheng Thao, faces a possible recall election. If that happens, the door may open for Lynch to step in as a candidate. Lynch joked about how his style might resemble comedian Bernie Mac’s tough-love approach in the 2003 film Head of State. “I’d be coming through there… slapping the sht out of everybody, like, ‘Get your sht together,’” he said with a laugh.
An Unconventional Candidate
Though Lynch is best known for his football achievements, including leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, his community involvement in Oakland runs deep. If he decides to run, Lynch would bring his no-nonsense attitude and deep-rooted passion for his city to the political arena. However, Lynch remains cautious about jumping into the race, stating, “We don’t want to make any quick moves just yet.”
For now, the people of Oakland will have to wait and see if Lynch goes full “Beast Mode” on the campaign trail.