Marshawn Lynch Seeking To Trademark ‘I’m Just Here So I Won’t Get Fined’

The Seattle Times reported on Feb. 23 that Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch is applying to trademark his famous “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” line he repeatedly mentioned during Super Bowl XLIX Media Day earlier this month.

Marshawn Lynch is applying to trademark his famous “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” line.

According to The Seattle Times’ Mark Baker, the Seattle Seahawks running back has filed a formal trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to own the sentence which he repeatedly mentioned during Super Bowl Media XLIX Media Day earlier this month. 

Baker says Lynch filed the trademark application last week. In it, Lynch seeks to control apparel such as t-shirts, fleece hoodies, hats and knit caps which show “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” 

The Seattle Times update stresses this is not the first time Lynch has done this. He applied for a trademark for another famous line he mentioned during last year’s Super Bowl Media Day, “I’m just about that action, boss.” Now, he is selling apparel with the line “About That Action Boss” on his website, www.beastmodeonline.com. Baker says most of Lynch’s approved trademarks are tied up to his “Beast Mode” product line. 

Lynch filed to trademark his nickname, “Beast Mode,” after his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills seven years ago. 

Chris Bevans, who runs Lynch’s apparel line, told ESPN’s Darren Rovell on Feb. 24 that Lynch’s applying to trademark “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” is their way of giving in to what the fans want. He quipped,”We heard from our fans and so many of them were saying that they wanted that phrase on the clothing. This is just listening to the marketplace.”

Bevans also told Rovell that he expects Lynch’s most recent famous line will be featured on select apparel by next month. 

Lynch’s “Beast Mode” apparel line will also launch a new brand of Italian-made shoes which were designed by Jon Buscemi. Each pair will retail at $180, says Rovell. 

In addition, Lynch’s website sold out it’s 1,000 “Beast Mode” hats in record time after he wore their different versions during his numerous media appearances leading up to Super Bowl XLIX in early February, per ESPN. Rovell cites Front Row Analytics which estimated total exposure for the brand during that time “to be more than $3 million in equivalent advertising time.”

Marshawn Lynch filed a trademark for ‘I’m just here so I don’t get fined’ http://t.co/zl6uns7HKe pic.twitter.com/ZmlobgjbqQ— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 24, 2015

The ESPN report also states the NFL initially wanted to fined Lynch for wearing an unauthorized brand, but changed its mind because the hat is manufactured by New Era, the league’s official hat. 

Baker adds Lynch’s teammates are also yearning to own trademarks. Among them are quarterback Russell Wilson (“No Time 2 Sleep”) and safety Kam Chancellor (“Bam Bam Kam”). 

Rovell says Lynch is not just busy applying for a new trademark — he and his agent Doug Hendrickson are currently engaged in talks with the Seahawks for a contract extension. Lynch is on the last year of his four-year, $31 million deal. 

USA TODAY Sports’ Jim Corbett reported on Feb. 19 that Seahawks general manager John Schneider is still unsure whether Lynch will return in a Seattle uniform next season or eventually retire. Should Lynch decide to return, he will count $8.5 million against the cap and will earn $5 million in base salary in 2015.

Schneider revealed to Corbett he has approached Lynch’s close associates to get an idea on what to expect from him:

“I’ve talked to his people a bunch. He knows we want him to play.

“He’s a guy who kind of beats to his own drum. He does what he wants. He never lets you know one way or the other.

“There’s been a lot of good running backs who have just walked away. So I have no idea.”

Schneider also told USA TODAY Sports their prized running back “hasn’t given us an indication he would leave.” If Lynch decides to retire, Schneider says the team will have to adjust and resort to a Plan B involving running backs Robert Turbin and Christine Michael.

Corbett stresses the Seahawks need to know Lynch’s decision at the earliest possible time because they are working on a long-term extension for Wilson. 

Lynch has rushed for 8,965 yards, 2,033 carries and 71 touchdowns during his eight-year NFL career with the Bills and Seahawks, per USA TODAY Sports. 

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