NFL merchandise featuring Marshawn Lynch gesture taken down
The NFL has a lot going on this week. So with Super Bowl XLIX descending upon Arizona, you'll have to excuse the league (throat clear) for initially overlooking a minor detail Sunday. A limited edition (100) photo collage, featuring images of the Seattle Seahawks' incredible comeback in last week's NFC Championship game, was available for purchase on NFL Shop for $149.95. Here's what it looked like.
Note the photo in the lower-left. That's running back Marshawn Lynch grabbing himself — a move the league deemed to be "obscene" and fined Lynch $20,000 for. Cue the controversy.
Sounds legit@ForTheWin The NFL fined Marshawn Lynch $20k for grabbing his groin, but the league is selling the photo http://t.co/OBlpfy0Woa
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) January 25, 2015
After a flood of tweets noted the apparent hypocrisy, the NFL rectified the situation.
The NFL is in the process of removing the Marshawn Lynch crotch-grab pic from http://t.co/i1wY76GQHf. It was generated by a licensee.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 25, 2015
A lot of arms to the NFL monster. League made aware of it via tweets today and removing it from the site. So don't expect your order filled.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 25, 2015
NFL Shop no longer selling Marshawn Lynch "grab" photo collage http://t.co/TNeWB0L0UV pic.twitter.com/K5tnZjDvts
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 26, 2015
The league has warned Lynch and the Seahawks a similar move during Super Bowl XLIX will result in a 15-yard penalty.