PFWA's statement on Marshawn Lynch's media day unavailability

Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch stands against a wall during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch stands against a wall during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch stands against a wall during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch stands against a wall during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PFWA STATEMENT ON MARSHAWN LYNCH’S ALLEGED PARTICIPATION IN SUPER BOWL MEDIA DAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 2014

Contact: D. Orlando Ledbetter (404-805-6310; dledbetter@ajc.com)

Website: ProFootballWriters.org; Twitter: @PFWAwriters

NEW YORK -- The Pro Football Writers of America, the official voice of pro football writers fighting and promoting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public, is extremely disappointed in the lack of meaningful access to Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch at the Super Bowl XLVIII media day on Tuesday.

Several of our long-standing and high profile members were appalled by Mr. Lynch’s conduct and refusal to answer any questions.

We find the statement by the league that “Players are required to participate and he participated” to be an affront to our membership.

However, we are encouraged that the league will continue to closely monitor this situation.

ABOUT THE PFWA: The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public. The PFWA is made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams on a daily basis. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, who covers the Atlanta Falcons, is the organization’s president for 2013-15, while ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, who covers the Denver Broncos, is the PFWA's first vice-president and long-time national writer Dan Pompei is the organization's second vice-president. Follow the PFWA at ProFootballWriters.org and on Twitter at @PFWAwriters

—PFWA—