Beast Mode from the beginning. That’s how Leon Powe describes Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.
Powe, who played three seasons with the Boston Celtics and now works in the team’s community relations office, was a high school teammate of Lynch’s on the basketball team atĀ Oakland Technical.
Lynch is three years younger than Powe and neverĀ had what you’d call a basketball build — even today, he’s listed at just 5-foot-11 — but Powe recalled one thing the soon-to-be Seahawks star had in spades: Intensity.
āHe told me anyone that fouled me, just let him know,ā the ex-CelticĀ told Jessica Camerato of Basketball Insiders. āHeād go in and take care of it. Thatās what he did.ā
According to Powe, Lynch was true to his word.
āMarshawn came to me. He said, āI got you,’ā Powe said. āThe following play, the guy got a fast break. He jumped and Marshawn ran out of nowhere — he was fast as (lightning), strong. He just, like, speared the guy, tackled him into the stands. He got a flagrant.
āI pulled Marshawn to the side and said, āYou canāt do that. Thatās illegal. Youāll get ejected and kicked out for that. I just wanted you to touch him up a little bit.ā He just laughed, āThatās what I do.ā Thatās all that he said.ā
Yep, that sounds like Lynch.
Thumbnail photo viaĀ Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports Images