A rare piece of NFL history linked to former Seattle Seahawks running backMarshawn Lynchis officially up for auction.
Lelands, a well-known sports memorabilia auction house, is selling a 2009 letter sent to Lynch by the NFL. The letter, written by league medical advisor Dr. Lawrence S. Brown, informed Lynch that he had tested positive for marijuana.
At the time, Lynch was heading into his third season with the Buffalo Bills. While the failed drug test didn’t lead to a suspension, he did serve a three-game ban at the start of the 2009 season for a separate misdemeanor gun charge.
From controversy to stardom
Lynch’s early career had its share of turbulence, but his on-field performance soon overshadowed any off-field issues. After a solid start in Buffalo, he was traded to Seattle in 2010, where he became a franchise legend.
His bruising, no-nonsense running style earned him the nickname “Beast Mode,” and he played a key role in Seattle’s Super Bowl XLVIII victory. His unforgettable “Beast Quake” touchdown run against the Saints in the 2010 playoffs remains one of the most iconic plays in NFL history.
Even after stepping away from football, Lynch continues to stay in the spotlight. He recently appeared on HBO’s hit series Euphoria and was eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time this year, though he wasn’t selected as a semifinalist.
A collector’s dream?
The letter hitting the auction block offers a unique look into the league’s disciplinary system. NFL documents like this rarely make their way into the public domain, making it a potential must-have for collectors.
Lelands has yet to provide an estimated selling price, but given Lynch’s enduring popularity, it wouldn’t be surprising if bidding gets competitive. With past auctions of rare sports memorabilia reaching eye-popping numbers, this piece of Lynch’s history could end up fetching a significant sum.
Whether it’s bought by a die-hard Seahawks fan, a sports historian, or just someone who loves collecting odd NFL artifacts, this letter adds another fascinating chapter to Lynch’s already legendary career.
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