Marshawn Lynch, here de-helmeting Arizona DL Darnell Docket in 2013, finally broke his media silence on the Super Bowl outcome. / Drew McKenzie, Sportspress Northwest

Apparently, Marshawn Lynch will talk to the media — as long as it’s the Turkish media. In Turkey along with former Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams and Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge for an American Football Without Barriers camp, Lynch said he was expecting the ball on the hugely debated play that sealed Seattle’s 28-24 loss to New England in Super Bowl XLIX.

Lynch did not speak to American nor other world media following the game, but was asked during an interview with NTV Spor, Turkey’s leading sports network, what he thought of Seattle’s final offensive final play, when QB Russell Wilson threw a pass to Ricardo Lockette that was intercepted at the one-yard line by Malcolm Butler, handing the game to New England.

“This is a team game,” Lynch told the network. “To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was expecting the ball. Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it’s a team sport.

“I had no problem with the decision of the play calling. I mean, you know, I think it was more of a  . . .  how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in, I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl, that’s pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time.

“I don’t know what went into that call. I mean, maybe it was a good thing that I didn’t get the ball. I mean, you know, it cost us the Super Bowl. I mean, I have full . . . I have full confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we’ve done it so many more times. But would I love to have had the ball in? Yes, I would have.

“But the game is over, and I am in Turkey.”

Although they are anxiously awaiting his decision, Lynch has not informed the Seahawks that he plans to return for the 2015 season. He is scheduled to make $7 million in the final year of a four-year contract, but has hinted, through friends, that he might retire.

The Seahawks have reportedly offered Lynch upward of $10 million per year over a two-year period to return, but no deal is in place despite multiple reports that Lynch will accept it.
The entire interview: