The conclusion of the NFC Divisional Round ended with a nice moment between two former college teammates, Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and Seahawks‘ running back, Marshawn Lynch. The former Cal Golden Bears swapped jerseys following Green Bay’s 28-23 victory over Seattle. Lynch and Rodgers had previously played one season together at Cal in 2004.
Following the game Lynch walked into the Packers’ locker room with his signed game jersey that he gave to Rodgers. The future hall of fame quarterback signed his own jersey and gifted it to Lynch. The two were then seen talking privately in the corner of the room, according to ESPN.
“He is one of my all-time favorite teammates, and I only had to play one year with him,” Rodgers told the media. “But he has just an incredible personality and charisma, and he’s just so fun to be around. There was, obviously, conversation years ago about picking him up in a trade that fell through that would’ve been a lot of fun to play some more years together. But I just have a ton of respect for him in his career. He’s one of those transcendent players that is so likable and so respected by so many people, and I’m just fortunate to have gotten to play with him for a year. And so we were just catching up, talking about some silly stuff that happened back in the day and seeing where he’s at. He’s a lot of fun to be around, and it’s fun to see him.”
Lynch signed with Seattle for the last game of the season following the team’s loss of three running backs due to injury including Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise. In three games Lynch finished with 12 rushes for 26 yards and four touchdowns.
Lynch was asked about his future with the team but danced around the question and said, “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 I had the opportunity, the opportunity to let them know something, I say, ‘Take care of y’all money because that s— don’t last forever.’ Now I’ve been on the other side of retirement, and it’s good when [you] get over there and you can do what the f— you want to, so I tell y’all right now while y’all in it: Take care of y’all bread so when you’re all done, you go ahead and take care of yourself. So while y’all at it right now, take care of y’all bodies. Don’t take care of y’all chicken, don’t take care of y’all mentals, ’cause we ain’t lasting that long.
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“I had a couple players that I played with that they no longer here no more, they no longer — so you feel me? Start taking care of y’all mental, y’all bodies and y’all chicken for when you’re all ready to walk away, you walk away and be able to do what you want to do, but I appreciate it. Thank you all and have a good day.”
