National Football League

Cards LB rips Lynch, says antics teaching kids 'the hell with authority'

Published Feb. 4, 2015 2:53 a.m. ET

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As Marshawn Lynch remained steadfast in his pledge to say the bare minimum to the media throughout Super Bowl week, fellow players -- both on the Seahawks and on teams around the league -- voiced their support of the Seahawks' running back.

But not every player is impressed with crotch-grabs and repetitive one liners like "I'm here so I won't get fined" from Media Day.

Speaking on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Monday, current Cardinals and former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote ripped into Lynch, saying that despite Lynch's intent and charity work, he is sending a dangerous message to kids.

"He always mentions his foundation and what he likes to do for the city of Oakland," Foote told the radio station. "I'm from the same type of urban environment that he's from.

"The biggest message he's giving these kids, he might not want to admit it, is 'The hell with authority. I don't care, fine me. I'm gonna grab my crotch. I'm gonna do it my way.'"

"In the real world, it doesn't work that way. It just doesn't. How can you keep a job? I mean, you got these inner-city kids. They don't listen to teachers. They don't listen to police officers, principals. And these guys can't even keep a job because they say 'F' authority."

You can hear the full interview below:

Foote also juxtaposed Lynch's approach with that of former Steelers teammate Jerome Bettis, whose Bus Stops Here Foundation has been helping children in Detroit and Pittsburgh since 1997. Bettis never had major issues with the media as a player, and now serves as an ESPN analyst. The former running back has won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and this year's Walter Camp Football Foundation Man of the Year, and was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the day before Super Bowl XLIX.

Lynch's Seahawks lost to the Patriots in that Super Bowl, 28-24. Despite the loss, Lynch ran for 102 yards and a touchdown, though coach Pete Carroll opted to pass late in the game rather than give the ball to Lynch on the 1-yard line for the potential go-ahead touchdown, a call which immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy.