Marshawn Lynch: 'I'm here so I won't get fined'... Seattle Seahawks star avoids $500,000 fine by answering 29 questions the same way

Controversial running back has pulled the same stunt in the past

(Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has avoided a $500,000 fine from the National Football League - by answering every question with the same sentence.

Lynch, one of Seattle's key men in Sunday's Super Bowl, is famously wary of speaking to the media and has been fined $100,000 in the last couple of seasons for violating the NFL's strict media policy.

Despite his way with words, more than 200 reporters crowded the podium in anticipation of Lynch's arrival for media day. According to ESPN, Lynch had been threatened with a maximum $500,000 (£330,000) fine if he hadn't appeared.

He did, but despite being asked 29 questions in less than five minutes he answered every single one with a variation of "I'm here so I won't get fined."

Lynch set a timer on his phone, stayed on the podium for 4 minutes 51 seconds after catching a bag of Skittles (his favourite sweet) from the crowd before heading off.

The 28-year-old could still be fined this week with the Seahawks expected to take place in media sessions later on Wednesday and Thursday.

Lynch was fined $50,000 in November for violating the league's media policy, and was also informed that an additional $50,000 fine imposed last season would be collected. He was fined $20,000 by the NFL last week for an obscene gesture after a touchdown in the Seahawks' NFC Championship Game win over the Green Bay Packers. Lynch had been fined $11,050 in December for a similar gesture.

The Independent will have live coverage of the Super Bowl from 11pm on Sunday night.