By Tyler Jones ’15

Each year a number of professional athletes receive hefty fines in the thousands for refusing to speak to the media, as stipulated in their contracts. 

Marshawn Lynch, the All-Pro running-back for the Seattle Seahawks, was fined $100,000 in November for refusing to speak to the media this past season. Lynch rightfully is viewed as the ‘poster boy’ for high-profile athletes who are constantly being fined for not speaking to the media. Lynch has also found ways to work around speaking to the media by giving brief statements that have nothing to with the question he is being asked. Phrases such as “I’m thankful” and “Yeah” have been the statements he has used most frequently. Lynch has been known to be a quiet person, and prefers to let his play on the field speak for himself. During Media Day, the press conference that is held prior to the Super Bowl, Lynch answered every question he was asked by a reporter with the statement,” I’m just here so I won’t get fined!”.

Lynch is not the only high-profile who’s been fined in the past for refusing to speak with the media. Randy Moss, a retired seven-time Pro Bowl wide-receiver, was fined $25,000 back in 2010. At the time, Moss had made his return to the Minnesota Vikings, and he refused to speak to the media prior to playing the New England Patriots who had traded him to the Vikings. Later on, Moss would go on to say that he would only attend press conferences that he was in charge of.

All professional sports leagues need to stop fining players for refusing to speak to the media. Reporters are ruthless and will do anything create a controversial story about an athlete, which is one reason why they choose not to speak to the media so they won’t say anything to incriminate their reputation or their team. Some players have gotten released from their teams due to saying something very vulgar and outlandish out of anger.

It is extremely unfair to force an athlete to speak to the media, especially when his emotions are running high which could lead to him/her to say something that could jeopardize their career and reputation.